De Lima refuses to denounce Dayan, says he's innocent too

Despite the damning testimony from her former bodyguard-driver, Sen. Leila de Lima not only refused to speak ill of Ronnie Dayan, but she also insisted on his innocence.

 

"Kahit ganoon ang ginawa ni Ronnie Dayan sa akin, hindi po ako ang klase ng tao na sisiraan ko ang isang tao na naging bahagi ng buhay ko. That's not me. Hindi ko gagawin yan sa kaniya," said De Lima.

 

In his testimony before the House of Representatives last week, Dayan claimed having a seven-year affair with De Lima and receiving money from alleged drug lord Kerwin Espinosa in her behalf. The money was then used in De Lima's Senate campaign.

 

De Lima has confirmed their relationship, but has repeatedly denied any links to illegal activities. 

 

According to the senator, Dayan had been forced to testify against her. "'Di ba, doon naman sinabi niya na wala siyang alam sa Bilibid drug trade... Wala naman ako kasalanan. Maski siya (Dayan) diyan sa Bilibid drug trade," De Lima said.

 

De Lima added that Dayan was not even included in the list of alleged drug protectors provided by slain Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa. "Walang binabanggit doon tungkol sa  participation ni Ronnie Dayan kasi wala naman talaga," she said.

 

"Ngayon na lang dinikit na lang nila sa Kerwin Espinosa. But hindi nga nila naplantsa kaya they are at loggerheads over the testimonies of both," she added.

 

‘Kami lang nakakalam’

 

Despite Dayan's revelations about his relationship with De Lima, the senator said she would remain tight-lipped about the matter.

 

"Kami lang nakakaalam kung ano ang naging relasyin namin. Kami lang nakakalam. Alam niya kung sino may kasalanan kung bakit natapos na ang relasyon," said De Lima.

 

"But I am not going to reveal any of those because that is my personal life and ayaw ko po na siraan siya. Hindi ko po iyon ugali. Alam ko po naman kung bakit rin siya napilitan magsinungaling," she added.

 

De Lima also denied receiving any messages from Dayan in which he was asking for money. — DVM, GMA News