JUSTICE Secretary Leila De Lima is in danger of losing her license as a lawyer for defying a lawful order from the Supreme Court allowing former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and husband Jose Miguel to leave the country.

Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez said over radio station dzBB the High Court may issue a “show cause and comply” order to De Lima asking her to explain why she ordered immigration personnel to bar the Arroyo couple from leaving the country.

“We will ask Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and the department officials why they did not comply with the order,” Marquez said.

Marquez stressed that even if Arroyo’s camp does not file contempt charges against De Lima, the High Court can have the DoJ comply with its TRO with a “show cause and comply” order.

“You are directed to show cause why you should not be held in contempt and to comply with the TRO,” he said.

Marquez admitted De Lima clearly violated the SC order when it issued the TRO against the DoJ and the Bureau of Immigration.

He  pointed out that under the Rules of Court, any person found guilty of defying the high court’s directive may face a fine of up to P30,000 or imprisonment of up to six months, or both.

It will be recalled that on Tuesday night, De Lima ordered immigration personnel at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to block the former president and her spouse from leaving the country.

Earlier on the same day, the SC voted 8-5 for the issuance of a TRO against the DOJ’s watch-list order.

Gov’t appeals TRO

The government yesterday filed a motion asking the SC to immediately lift the TRO it issued the other day.

Solicitor General Anselmo Cadiz presented four arguments in the government’s motion to recall the restraining order.

Cadiz stressed without the SC’s resolution on the merits of the case, DOJ circular No. 41 -- which was the basis to place the couple under the watchlist order -- is presumed valid and constitutional.