De Lima reacts to Mancao's surrender: 'Huwag ka magpagamit'

Senator Leila de Lima on Wednesday said she will not be surprised if the Duterte administration uses former Senior Supt. Cezar Mancao II, who recently surrendered to authorities, against her.

De Lima was the Justice secretary when Mancao, an accused in the killing of publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and Dacer's driver Emmanuel Corbito back in 2000, escaped from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in 2013.

Asked to react on Mancao’s surrender, De Lima said it was not impossible that the former police officer will be used against her by the Duterte administration.

“That’s not at all an impossibility. Under the rate that this administration is doing anything and everything within its powers para lang ipatupad yung gusto ng pangulo na siraan ako talaga,” De Lima said.

“I’m prepared always for the worst now. Alam ko naman na hindi pa tapos yan eh,” she added.

De Lima advised Mancao against allowing himself to be used by the administration,

“Huwag sya magpagamit. Kasi siya yung may kasalanan sa batas kasi tumakas siya sa official custody ng NBI. Kung meron na namang may pakana diyan para lang uli gamitin siya dahil nga yung mga una nilang plano, puro naman palpak,” De Lima said referring to allegations of her involvement in illegal drugs.

“Tunay ba talaga yan or for show yan? Ano yan? Anong drama na naman yan? Alas na naman ba nila yan? Whatever it is. Whether or not ganun nga, sanay na ako,” she added.

De Lima was earlier accused of having an illicit affair with Mancao. This was raised during a confirmation hearing by whistleblower Sandra Cam in 2014.

Mancao surrendered to the Philippine National Police (PNP) on January 30 and is now under the custody of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-National Capital Region. —KBK, GMA News