JUSTICE Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said Senator Leila de Lima and her alleged bagman Ronnie Dayan could face criminal cases for their "illicit affair."
Aguirre told the House committee on justice hearing on the illegal drug proliferation issue on Thursday that the two could face concubinage for admitting that they had an affair.
"Concubinage on the part of Dayan and the part of de Lima. That would be a criminal case, both parties involved," Aguirre said when asked what laws were violated by the two parties.
Aguirre was also asked by congress what law was violated when the Senator stopped Dayan from testifying before the House committee.
"The law violated by de Lima is the rules of court in contempt. It is an obstruction of justice on the part of the Senator," he said.
The Justice Secretary also added that when there is a collision between right to privacy and the violation of the law, the one that will prevail is the latter.
"Violation of criminal laws are public offenses, it prevails over private right," he said.
Aside from the graft and drug trafficking charges filed before the Department of Justice, the Senator is also facing a disbarment case with the Supreme Court for allegedly violating the Lawyers' Oath and Code of Professional Responsibility when she engaged in an "illicit affair" with Dayan.
Dayan during Thursday's hearing admitted that he had a relationship with Dayan that lasted for seven years. (Sunnex)
