Sen. Lacson scolds De Lima for not telling Senators about Matobato beforehand

Senator Panfilo Lacson scolded Leila De Lima for not letting him know that someone will be testifying upon the Senate hearing when it resumed its probe on drug-related killings on Thursday.

In an interview with the media, Lacson said De Lima should have at least told him about Edgar Matobato as the co-chairman of the joint Senate probe. 

Lacson heads the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs while De Lima heads the committee on justice and human rights. 

Photo courtesy of Politics.com.ph. Raelyn Luchansky AMA

Lacson laments De Lima's actions as she deliberately kept Matobato a secret. He also said that the media are more fortunate because they knew that someone will be coming. That everyone knew, except the senators.

“Kung co-chairman ako sa pagdinig sana man lang nasabihan ako ng aking co-chair, although siya ang lead committee dito, na may lalabas na witness,” Lacson said.

“Nabigla rin kami. May teaser pa kanyang opisina, nagpalabas ng teaser sa Senate media sabing may explosive mag-testify na dating member ng DDS. Bakit kami 'di nasabihan? Ako co-chair 'di nasabihan, pero media sinabihan,” Lacson said.

“Pero hindi nagkaroon ng ganoong courtesy. Nabulaga kaming lahat. Siya lang nakakaalam. Mukhang silang dalawa lang ni Sen. Trillanes ang nakakaalam na may magte-testify,” Lacson added.

De Lima then admitted that she sought Trillane's help to secure Matobato. 

Matobato, a self-confessed killer, faced the senate committee and the public on Thursday admitting he was once a member of the Davao Death Squad (DDS). Matobato testified that President Rodrigo Duterte is the mastermind of the DDS. 

Matobato claimed that they have killed several individuals in the past.

During the interpolation of Sen. Lacson, several inconsistencies and inaccuracies were revealed by the Senate panel. 

Lacson then said that he's very skeptic of Matobato and that the public should take his testimony "with a grain of salt."

“Kita natin sa pagtatanong ng senador, sa pagtatanong ko, sa pagtatanong ng iba, hindi totoo ang mga sinasabi niya. Kung meron siyang sinasabing totoo, 'yan ang hindi ko alam—alin doon?” Lacson said. 

Lacson's sentiments were also echoed by the other Senators present at the hearing including Senator Alan Peter Cayetano. 

Cayetano and Trillanes engaged in a heated exchange after Trillanes threatened Cayetano and tried to prevent him from interpolating Matobato.

Many netizens also found Trillanes' actions hostile, calling it unbecoming and desperate.

The senate hearing will resume on Tuesday, next week.