SENATOR Leila de Lima’s petition for habeas data against President Rodrigo Duterte, which effectively tests the immunity of the chief executive, will not prosper, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said Friday.
“The petition will go straight to the waste basket,” Aguirre said.
“How could you stop the government authorities from investigating with no less than 10 individuals who said you are the protector of the drug trade?”
He doubted that the Supreme Court will stop the authorities from investigating a person facing several criminal complaints before the Department of Justice.
“Can you imagine the Supreme Court telling the police, the President and the Department of Justice to stop investigating a person with several cases already? I don’t think so,” Aguirre said.
Besides, he said, the President’s immunity from suit was absolute.
He made his statement after De Lima filed a petition for habeas data seeking to enjoin President Duterte and some government agencies from gathering information on her private life.
De Lima asked the tribunal to order the destruction of the pieces of information on her.
She said the verbal attacks on her womanhood and and the threats on her were not covered by presidential immunity.
She said Duterte’s discriminate remarks against her “constitute psychological violence prohibited by Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women.” She said the personal attacks on her also violated the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
