Gordon, along with Senator Panfilo Lacson, noted that De Lima had failed to disclose in previous hearings that she had information about the kidnapping case filed by the common law wife of alleged terrorist Sali Makdum against Matobato.
"It was incontrovertible that she was in possession of a knot that she herself made. That was so devastating, it could have been said while Matobato was lying here that there was a case na fi-nile sa kaniya ng NBI na kidnapping for ransom," said Gordon.
De Lima said she did not do it on purpose. "Napansin ko nga ho 'yun ngayon. Because I have extensive notes. So, I could not be expected na habang nagtetestify si Mr. Matobato noong 5th and 22nd ay maco-correct ko lahat o maisu-supply ko po yung info based on my notes," he said.
Lacson replied: "We did not ask because we did not know, but you knew."
To which she answered: "I only noticed it kani-kanina lang po when I was reviewing my notes.
Later, however, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV read a record of a previous testimony of Matobato disclosing that there was a kidnapping case filed against him.
Trillanes then asked Gordon to apologize to De Lima, which Gordon declined. Gordon maintained that De Lima had tried to conceal the matter.
"It pains me to be accused of material concealment," said De Lima. "I am walking out, I'm sorry."
De Lima, in a statment she issued later that night, argued that Matobato had been forthcoming with the case filed against him.
"Senate records would show that in the 3rd hearing of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights on the cases of extrajudicial killings dated 15 September 2016, Mr. Matobato on his first appearance admitted that a kidnap for ransom case was filed against him.
In response, as then Committee Chair, I said a subpoena will be issued for the files of the case in due time," said de Lima.
She added that during the September 22 hearing, Matobato repeated that the wife of Makhdum had filed a case against him upon questioning of Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano and the incumbent Chair Sen. Gordon.
In response, as then Committee Chair, I said a subpoena will be issued for the files of the case in due time," said de Lima.
She added that during the September 22 hearing, Matobato repeated that the wife of Makhdum had filed a case against him upon questioning of Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano and the incumbent Chair Sen. Gordon.
Gordon and Lacson, the chairman and vice-chairman, respectively, of the Committee of Justice and Human Rights, lashed out at Matobato for leaving the premises just as the kidnapping issue came into light.
Gordon was informed by a note from the office of Trillanes that Matobato was no longer available to answer the panel's questions.
"Matobato had to leave so his security won't be compromised..." Gordon read from the note.
"Para bang nu'ng nabuko na, biglang nawala na," Gordon added.