Following her presentation to the Senate hearing of surprise witness and self-confessed assassin Edgar Matobato, Senator Leila De Lima was ousted as chairperson of the committee on Justice of Human Rights by the senators after voting 16-4.
This came after Edgar Matobato, De Lima's witness, made questionable testimonials and accused President Rodrigo Duterte of receiving orders from him to terminate criminals.
Before the voting began, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano expressed his intention to deliver a privilege speech. But Senator Drilon opposed, leading to Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III to cast a voting.
Senators voted to allow Cayetano to proceed with his speech and accused De Lima for skewing the international media regarding the extra-judicial killings happening in the country.
Neophyte Senator Manny Pacquiao then declared the committee on human rights and justice to be vacant. Senator Ralph Recto and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV abstained while Senate President Pro-Tempore Franklin Drilon, senators Risa Hontiveros, Francis Pangilinan, and Paolo Benigno Aquino IV stood by De Lima.
SEE PAGE 2 BELOW TO SEE THE LIST OF SENATORS WHO VOTED AGAINST DE LIMA:
Before the voting began, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano expressed his intention to deliver a privilege speech. But Senator Drilon opposed, leading to Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III to cast a voting.
Neophyte Senator Manny Pacquiao then declared the committee on human rights and justice to be vacant. Senator Ralph Recto and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV abstained while Senate President Pro-Tempore Franklin Drilon, senators Risa Hontiveros, Francis Pangilinan, and Paolo Benigno Aquino IV stood by De Lima.
SEE PAGE 2 BELOW TO SEE THE LIST OF SENATORS WHO VOTED AGAINST DE LIMA: