JUSTICE Secretary Leila de Lima rejected yesterday calls for her resignation or   apologg following denial of a report that former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal–Arroyo was seeking asylum in Dominican Republic.

Despite the denial by Carlos Morales Troncoso, the foreign minister of the Dominican Republic, of the alleged asylum request of Arroyo, De Lima said the investigation into the supposed planned trip would proceed – especially since she confirmed receiving another tip from “a credible source” that Arroyo was planning to seek  asylum in two other countries.

De Lima, however, still refused to confirm whether the two countries are Spain and Portugal.

“I can’t confirm anything yet about Spain and Portugal vis-à-vis the former President’s travel plans pending ongoing verification,” she said.

De Lima had rejected liability if the information on the alleged plan of Arroyo to seek asylum in the Dominican Republic turned out to be negative.

“No way I will resign or apologize. Why should I? As I repeatedly clarified the info re Dominican Republic did not come from me. I only confirmed receipt of such info when asked by media,” she stressed.

In an ambush interview last Thursday, de Lima was asked by a reporter if she received information about the alleged plan of Arroyo to seek asylum in the Dominican Republic. She answered in the affirmative.