VICE President Leni Robredo said the decision of the House of Representatives to show a supposed sex video of Senator Leila de Lima and her alleged lover is a clear violation of the penal law.
In a statement, Robredo who is a former member of the House said the ongoing inquiry of her former colleagues into the alleged drug trade in the National Bilibid Prison has become a matter of great interest to the public, creating strong sentiments and generating passionate debate among Filipinos.
“And precisely because of this, I believe it is critical that the members and leadership of the House – many of whom are my former colleagues from the previous Congress – keep the proceedings calm, sober, and objective as the investigation proceeds,” Robredo said.
Robredo who is also a lawyer admitted that she is disturbed that this showing of de Lima’s video would only degrade the person of the senator as a woman.
“As a lawyer, I believe that this act may be in violation of penal laws. And as a long-time advocate for human and women’s rights, I am profoundly disturbed by a proposal that amounts to the public shaming of a woman and the infliction of grave harm on her dignity as a human person,” Robredo said as she expressed protest on the plans of the House to have it exposed.
Robredo said it is important for every public servant to know and establish a culture of respect and professionalism both in the government and in the larger sphere of public discussion.
“As a former legislator, I fail to see how this will contribute to a substantial discussion of the issues being taken up. It is my earnest hope that all of us in public service, including my former colleagues in the House, do our utmost to maintain a rational and respectful level of discourse, with the same passion that we zealously pursue the truth,” Robredo stressed.
Earlier, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said the sex video will be shown to let the people judge its veracity.
Alvarez even challenged de Lima to come to the House inquiry and deny it herself before the investigating body. (Sunnex)