Senators to meet on De Lima arrest

The possible arrest of Senator De Lima in connection to her drug cases will be tackled in "mini-meetings" among her fellow lawmakers on Monday, Senate President Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III said.

"Hindi naman formal ito. Pagdating ko sa Senado, kung sino ang senador na andoon, tatawagin ko at mag-uusap lang kami kung ano ang mga possible scenarios dito, ano ang mga pwedeng gawin ng Senado, ang mga hindi dapat gawin -- very, very informal po, mga mini-meetings, ganoon na lang po ang tawagin natin," Pimentel told DZMM.

(This will not be formal. When I arrive at the Senate, I will summon whoever is there and we will talk about possible scenarios, what we should and shouldn't do. It will be very, very informal; these mini-meetings, let's call them.)

Pimentel earlier urged law enforcers to respect Senate premises if they arrest de Lima, whom he said will also honor any valid warrant against her.

De Lima's case stems from her alleged involvement with the Bilibid drug trade. She has repeatedly denied the allegations, saying President Rodrigo Duterte was getting back at her for investigating his brutal war on drugs and for bringing up the 'Davao Death Squad.'

Her legal team is preparing to file pleadings in a bid to prevent the issuance of an arrest warrant for her.

DZMM TeleRadyo, 20 February 2017