For the kidnapping case, Sen. Hontiveros is being accused for taking custody of minors who are witnesses in the murder case of Kian Delos Santos, who was killed during the Oplan Galugad operation in Caloocan City last August 16. Three days later, the Liberal Party (LP) ally senator visited the wake of the 16-year old student, and took the minors.
“Ikinonsulta namin doon sa mga saksi at mga pamilya nila kung saan sila pinakapanatag ang loob na mananatiling ligtas… at ayon sa kanila, sa ngayon, ay mas panatag sila na manatili kung nasasaan sila." Sen. Hontiveros said in a later press conference, referring to the 3 witnesses, aged 13, 16 and 31. However, the mother of one of the minors complained.
According to the mother, neither Sen. Hontiveros herself nor her office informed her that they brought her child, and that they did not ask permission from her. But for some reasons, the same mother changed her statement, and apologized to the lady senator. Public Attorney's Office (PAO) chief Persida Acosta also criticized her senator’s actions.
For the obstruction of justice case, the VACC said that Sen. Hontiveros did not allow the investigating authorities to interview the said witnesses while they were under her custody. In fact, the senator refused to tell the police where she brought the minors. Nevertheless, she later agreed to turn them over to PAO. The case is still under thorough investigation.
Meanwhile, the wiretapping case against Hontiveros stemmed from her privilege speech where she showed a photo of a supposed exchange of text messages between DOJ Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre and former Rep. Paras. According to the anti-Duterte senator, this is the plan of the government to hasten the case buildup against her.
Contributed by Salvi Dalida
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