De Lima says Jaybee Sebastian is a 'government asset'

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Senator Leila De Lima said in a Thursday press briefing that convicted carnapper and drug lord Jaybee Sebastian is a government asset.

Her statement comes after witnesses at the House probe on the illegal drug operations at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) said Sebastian forced them to sell drugs to help fund De Lima's 2016 senatorial campaign.

Read: Witness: We were forced to sell drugs to fund De Lima campaign

"The reason why I am saying that he is an asset is because to dispel yung mga haka-haka na naman, yung mga malicious insinuations na the reason why hindi na muna siya sinama dun sa Bilibid 19 is because 'favored,' 'protektado,'" she said. "And lalo na yung insinuation na 'yan na siya ang kumokolekta ng pera para sa akin."

[Translation: The reason why I am saying that he is an asset is because to dispel the rumors and the malicious insinuations that the reason why he wasn't transferred to Bilibid 19 is because he is 'favored' or 'protected.' I am also saying this especially to address the insinuation that he was collecting money for me.]

She also said prison officials were wary of transferring Sebastian to Bilibid 14 because of his work as a government source.

"Nanggaling sa kanya yung mga ibang impormasyon," she said. "And the Bilibid 19, alam siguro nila 'yan. Baka patayin."

[Translation: Some information came from him. And the inmates at Bilibid 19 likely knew about this. He could have been killed.]

But De Lima said she transferred Sebastian to dispel controversies.

"I was still being advised na 'wag na muna siyang isama because of that," she said. "But sabi ko, 'No. We should include him' kasi nagiging issue. So we have to include him diyan sa Building 14 so, eventually, nilipat siya, especially during the time of General Reinier Cruz."

[Translation: I was still being advised to not transfer him yet because of that. But I said, 'No. We should include him' because it became an issue. So we have to include him at Building 14 so, eventually, he was transferred, especially during the time of General Reinier Cruz.]

De Lima also said she has no objections to Sebastian testifying at the hearing.

"Let him address that," she said. "If he wants to testify, let him address that."