Detained PH Senator Leila de Lima refutes claims that report on US ban on PH govt officials behind her arrest is fake news. Says proper way to interpret US appropriations law is to include language in the accompanying US House and Senate reports. 
Bloggers RJ Nieto/Thinking Pinoy and Sass Rogando Sasot have earlier declared the US ban on De Lima's jailers "fake news" because actual bill signed into law by US President Donald Trump does not mention De Lima's name.
Senate President Tito Sotto also said:
Mukhang nakuryente tayo pati Palace. Wala pala sa US budget yun so called ban. Ang dali natin mapasakay. Kaya pala nagtataka ko kung paano may isisingit na foreign relations issue sa budget eh puro tungkol sa pera yun.
Mukhang nakuryente tayo pati Palace. Wala pala sa US budget yun so called ban. Ang dali natin mapasakay. Kaya pala nagtataka ko kung paano may isisingit na foreign relations issue sa budget eh puro tungkol sa pera yun.
But De Lima says US appropriations law is very broad and complex, should be read this way:
Step 1. Look at Final Bill, which refers to the Explanatory Statement.
Step 2. Now, look at the Explanatory Statement, which makes reference to the House and Senate SFOPs bill Reports.
Step 1. Look at Final Bill, which refers to the Explanatory Statement.
Step 2. Now, look at the Explanatory Statement, which makes reference to the House and Senate SFOPs bill Reports.
De Lima:
Step 3. Look at the Senate SFOPs bill Report, specifically top of page 93. There you will see what you are looking for. It’s the “Prohibition on Entry” provision which specifically mentions, and made applicable to, my situation.
Step 3. Look at the Senate SFOPs bill Report, specifically top of page 93. There you will see what you are looking for. It’s the “Prohibition on Entry” provision which specifically mentions, and made applicable to, my situation.
De Lima:
Step 4. Go back to the Explanatory Statement and ask yourself—does it specifically negate the language you found on page 93? You will see that it does not.
Step 4. Go back to the Explanatory Statement and ask yourself—does it specifically negate the language you found on page 93? You will see that it does not.
US Senator Dick Durbin, one of those who pushed for the ban, confirmed in a tweet on Dec 18 that his and US Sen. Patrick Leahy's amendment is included in the US appropriations bill which US President Donald Trump signed into law 2 days later.
Fact-check: Riders are allowed under US laws and are more common in the US Senate. By definition, riders (like the ban on De Lima's jailers) have little connection to the actual law (appropriations law).
