Palace Exec Says Pres. Aquino’s Trust on De Lima Remains

(PNA) — Malacañang on Tuesday maintained that President Benigno Aquino III continues to trust Justice Secretary Leila de Lima amidst calls by the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) for her exit.

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the rule of the law remains even after members of the INC held a four-day rally, which ended Monday afternoon, at EDSA-Shaw Blvd.

“Walang pagbabago sa sitwasyon, patuloy ang pagpapa-iral sa rule of law. Buo ang tiwala at kumpiyansa ng Pangulo kay Sec. De Lima,” he said.

INC members called for the separation of the State and the Church and claimed that the Justice Secretary was meddling with INC’s affairs.

This after the Department of Justice (DOJ) set a preliminary investigation on the illegal detention charges filed by expelled INC minister Isaias Samson Jr. against INC officials.

Coloma, in a briefing, also pointed out that the government did what it had to do to preserve peace and order during the four-day INC rally, which resulted in massive traffic congestion since the rallyists closed the service roads of both the south- and north-bound lanes of EDSA-Shaw Blvd.

He explained that the INC members were allowed to express themselves and to assemble publicly as provided under a democracy since they were able to secure a permit to conduct a rally.

He stressed that the government did not feel hostaged with the said situation, as some people have insinuated, and remained effective.

“We have always been on top of the situation,” he said citing that need to balance the situation and ensure public order and safety. (PNA) RMA/JSV/SSC