De Lima apologizes to Guingona

MANILA - Justice Secretary Leila de Lima apologized to Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman TG Guingona after failing to present the pork scam whistle-blowers in Tuesday's hearing. De Lima admitted that she told Guingona that she would present whistle-blowers in today's hearing but failed to do so after cases were filed before the Ombudsman. She said she was only deferring to the Ombudsman since the Ombudsman has jurisdiction over the pork barrel scam cases. "If I received a subpoena, I would have no choice po. I am sorry kung meron tayong nagkaroon ng miscommunication or misunderstanding. Yes, iIdid say yes pero I also had to make further evaluation. Thank you," she said. "Apology accepted," Guingona said. De Lima earlier said the Ombudsman has the authority to decide if the whistle-blowers can testify at the Senate while the Ombudsman is still doing preliminary investigation of the case. Guingona, however, disagreed with de Lima and said he will issue a subpoena to the justice secretary to present the whistle-blowers on Thursday. He said witnesses can still appear before the Senate inquiry even if a case is pending before the Ombudsman and the Sandiganbayan. ANC, September 24, 2013