MANILA - Representative Reynaldo Umali said Senator Leila de Lima's former driver may be arrested if he fails to respond to their subpoena.

Speaking on DZMM, Umali, who chairs the House Committee on Justice, said they have sent subpoenas to Dayan, Jaybee Sebastian, Jonel Sanchez, and other personalities implicated in the illegal drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).

Umali added that Dayan may be cited in contempt, and eventually arrested, if he fails to appear in the scheduled hearings.

"If he doesn't show up, we will be forced to cite him in contempt, and therefore, that will begin the issuance of a warrant for his arrest," he explained.

Sebastian's attendance in Thursday's hearing, on the other hand, will still depend on his doctor.

Sebastian was wounded in a stabbing incident in NBP on September 29.

"That will all depend on the disposition of the hospital. Kung papayagan siya ng doktor at kaya niya, fine with us," Umali said.

Umali said that they are looking to wrap up the inquiry in two or three more sessions.

As to De Lima's refusal to attend the House inquiry, Umali said the lady senator, as a law practitioner, should understand that it is normal for the prosecution to present "the worst side of the criminal."

"The prosecution will present the worst side of the criminal, 'di ba, and because the criminal naman will have his or her chance to defend herself or himself," he said.

"Practitioner naman siya, trial lawyer, 'di ba kung may kliyente ka, talagang didikdikin mo kung ikaw ay nasa plaintiff o prosecution side ka. Dapat naiintindihan niya yun as a trial lawyer or practitioner [She's a lawyer and she knows the prosecution will do anything to pin the suspect]," Umali added.

Umali denied that they have a preset conclusion on the inquiry, adding that there are members of the House of Representatives that can defend De Lima.

"Kami naman, hindi naman kami nagpapabaya dito. May mga kapartido naman siya dito [We are not careless. She has allies here]," he said.

The next House inquiry is set Thursday morning.