They might be on opposite ends of the political fence now but Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III still has some good words for his former lawyer, Senator Leila de Lima.

The Senate President was a former client of De Lima, who was then an election lawyer. She later won Pimentel’s election protest against former senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, who was proclaimed the 12th winning senator in 2007.

“Alam mo si Leila (You know Leila), once upon a time was my lawyer. If she could prosecute my election offense, she can definitely defend herself. So kayang-kaya niya iyan (She can handle that),” Pimentel told reporters when asked for comment on the unrelenting accusations against De Lima.

With all the cases De Lima is facing, should De Lima take a leave of absence to avoid neglecting her legislative duties?

“I don’t think so, but that’s addressed to her. Kaya niya ‘yan (She can do it),” Pimentel said.

He added: “Well, nabawasan trabaho niya. Naging co-chair na lang siya ng committee on electoral reforms. Kaya na niya ‘yan (Well, her work was lessened. She is now just the co-chair of the committee on electoral reforms. She can handle it).”

De Lima is facing various drug charges before the Department of Justice, the Supreme Court, Ombudsman, and the Senate ethics panel.

Pimentel, however, was mum when asked if he believes the drug allegations against his former counsel. No less than President Rodrigo Duterte, his party mate, has accused the lady senator of being linked to illegal drugs.

“No comment. Kasi kung ako rin naman nag-lawyer, don’t tell me ‘yung kliyente ko kilala rin pagkatao ko, buong buhay ko (If I am the lawyer, don’t tell me my client also fully knows my character, my whole life),” Pimentel said, referring to his ties with De Lima.

On De Lima’s photo with alleged drug lord Kerwin Espinosa in Baguio, Pimentel said it is normal for politicians to have pictures with random people.

For Pimentel, the photo does not prove De Lima’s links to Espinosa – contrary to the claims of Espinosa himself and Dayan.

“’Yung picture, kasi it doesn’t mean kakilala mo. Dami ko rin picture siguro sa mga taong di ko kakilala. I think it’s unfair to produce a picture and say dahil sa may picture ako, kakilala siya, pati trabaho, pati negosyo, lalo sa public place ‘yung litrato,” he said.

(A picture does not mean you know the other person. I, for sure, have pictures with people I do not know. I think it’s unfair to produce a picture and say that just because I have a picture, I know the person in the picture, his work, his business – especially if the photograph was taken in public.)

“Mabuti sana kung conference room ‘yun, maybe nagtagal doon na nag-usap (If it were a conference room, maybe they spent time there talking), but Burnham Park, that doesn’t prove anything,” he added. 

Espinosa claimed he gave P8 million to De Lima through Ronnie Dayan, De Lima’s former security aide turned lover, for her campaign expenses. Dayan, meanwhile, alleged he received money from Espinosa for her former boss. De Lima has repeatedly denied any drug links, reiterating she does not know the Espinosas. (READ: Dayan, Espinosa: Who’s telling truth on drug money for De Lima?) – Rappler.com