Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) legal counsel Atty. Ferdinand Topacio said that he’s not afraid of getting ban from visiting the United States after American President Donald Trump signed his country’s 2020 budget which includes the cancellation of Visa of the people involved in the detention of Senator Leila De Lima.
On a Twitter post, Topacio said that he doesn’t care if he’s not allowed to visit the U.S anymore as long as De Lima will be detained for the rest of her life.
“What is important is I do my share,” Topacio, who’s using twitter username @yesyesyo13 said.
Topacio is one of the people who accused Senator Leila De Lima of being corrupt and getting involved in illegal trade during her days as Secretary of Department of Justice (DOJ).
Several years ago, Topacio called De Lima a trafficker in a hearing about the revival of capital punishment in the country.
Sen. De Lima accuses Atty. Topacio of alluding to her as a drug trafficker in the Senate hearing for the reimposition of death penalty. pic.twitter.com/Ws7c3KWZSP
— ABS-CBN News Channel (@ANCALERTS) February 7, 2017
DOJ Secretary Menardo Guevarra made the same comment as Topacio on the recent actions of the U.S.
“I thought the US wants everyone to observe due process?… As for me, I don’t give a damn s_ _ _ if I’m included in the US list. I’m not the one who has to answer to my conscience… (I’m) shocked that a foreign government can unduly influence or interfere with another country’s legal and judicial processes by threats of visa cancellations and asset confiscation,” he said.
Cayetano also criticized the U.S for its decision.
“This is the best example of weaponizing human rights. Walang problema na ipaglaban natin ang human rights kasi yan talaga ay para sa ating lahat… But look at the implication of that law. Kapag sumunod ang officials natin at pinakawalan, bibigyan tayo ng ng visa, babagsak naman ang judicial system natin,” Cayetano said.
Meanwhile, Senator Leila De Lima is grateful for the recent actions of the US against her accusers.
“The US travel ban has put this regime in its proper place in the world,” the lady Senator said.