MANILA - The Supreme Court (SC) has directed Senator Leila De Lima to respond to a new disbarment case filed against her by a certain Atty. Fernando P. Perito.

De Lima was given ten days to file her comment to the complaint-affidavit of Perito.

No details are available as to the nature of the disbarment case. The SC observes strict confidentiality in the handling of such administrative case.

No details on complainant Perito are also available, although a certain Fernando Perito also filed a disbarment case against Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte in July 2011 for punching trial court sheriff Abe Andres for refusing to grant her request for a 2-hour extension on the enforcement of a demolition order in her city.

At least two separate disbarment cases are pending with the SC against De Lima:

(1) involving her defiance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the high court on the powers of the justice secretary to issue watch list orders, in connection with the case of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo; and,

(2) pertaining to her illicit affair with her married driver-bodyguard Ronnie Dayan.