Liberal Party president and Senator Francis Pangilinan on Friday said it was “right and just” for detained Senator Leila de Lima to perform her duties as a lawmaker.
Pangilinan expressed gratitude to Senate President Vicente Sotto III for formally seeking the participation of De Lima in the hearings lodged before her committee.
“It is right and just for Sen. De Lima to be allowed to perform her duties as a member of the legislature,” he said in a statement.
In a letter to Police Director General Oscar Albayalde, Sotto has formally requested the Philippine National Police (PNP) to allow De Lima to conduct committee hearings inside the PNP Custodial Center, where she is presently detained.
READ: Sotto to Albayalde: Allow De Lima to hold committee hearings in PNP
Detained for more than a year due to drug charges, De Lima chairs the Senate committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development.
“Despite her unjust incarceration, Sen. De Lima has expressed her desire to carry out her functions as a lawmaker and help craft laws beneficial to the people,” Pangilinan added.
Pangilinan said he hoped the PNP will heed the request of Sotto.
If the PNP will grant the Senate’s request, De Lima is expected to hear at least seven pending bills. /muf