De Lima’s office clarifies

This refers to the news “Driver-lover refuses to testify against De Lima” (8/2/18) by Jodee A. Agoncillo.

In the interest of fairness and accuracy, allow me to point out a glaring factual mistake that referred to Ronnie Dayan as the Senator’s “former bagman, driver and lover.”

Such reference is not only false and misleading, to say the least, but also unfair to the senator who is facing a legal battle over the trumped-up drug charges the present administration has filed against her.

It is wrong to conclude that Dayan has acted as the senator’s “bagman,” an accusation that remains unsubstantiated and is now being contested in the proper courts.

To set the record straight: Sen. Leila M. de Lima, even when she was the secretary of justice, never authorized anyone to collect or solicit money on her behalf in exchange for any favor or undue advantage.

While we appreciate your prompt action to correct the article in your online edition, it is regrettable that the print version is already out in public and could no longer be recalled.

In due time, we strongly believe the whole truth will be revealed and will vindicate her from all these false charges and wrongful accusations.

FERDIE J. MAGLALANG, head, Media and Communications Office of Sen. Leila M. de Lima