Senator Leila de Lima
MANILA – House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday said the provision in an American law denying the entry of Philippine government officials involved in the detention of Senator Leila de Lima is the “best example of weaponizing human rights.”
Cayetano made the remark after US President Donald Trump signed the US 2020 national budget, which contains a provision allowing US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to prohibit entry to the US of Philippine officials who have been involved in de Lima’s imprisonment.
"This is the best example of weaponizing human rights," Cayetano said in a press conference, highlighting the negative implications of the US law.
“Kapag sumunod ang officials natin at pinakawalan, bibigyan tayo ng visa, babagsak naman ang judicial system natin (If our officials abide by this law and we release [de Lima] to get these US visas, then our judicial system would collapse)... There are judicial remedies. Pero kung ang gagamitin mo ay yung US visa (But, if you use the US visa), this is weaponizing," Cayetano added.
Cayetano called on the members of the US Congress to visit the Philippines to see for themselves that democracy still exists in the country.
"Let me use this opportunity to invite US Congressmen and women and US senators to visit the Philippines... you would observe for yourself not only through news reports what is really happening in the country,” he said.
De Lima is detained at the Philippine Custodial Center in Quezon City because of her supposed involvement in unlawful drug trade during her stint as justice secretary under the Aquino government. (PNA)
