Pangilinan to ask SC to let De Lima join hearings on ICC withdrawal

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Monday vowed not to let Senator Leila De Lima’s birthday go “unmarked” as he promised to continue pressing the Supreme Court to allow her to take part in the International Criminal Court (ICC) withdrawal hearings.

In a statement, Pangilinan said he would ask the High Court to let De Lima take part in the hearings through a video or teleconference.

On Friday, the SC again denied De Lima’s motion for reconsideration regarding her petition to participate in the oral arguments. Her motion was first denied last August 7.

READ: De Lima appeal to attend SC deliberations on ICC withdrawal denied anew

De Lima, who turned 59 on Monday, has been detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center due to drug-related charges.

Pangilinan, De Lima’s Liberal party mate, also vowed to pursue requests that she be allowed to exercise her duties as a legislator, such as conducting hearings, despite being behind bars.

The Liberal Party president added that they will be “unceasing in our position that she did not commit any wrongdoings and that the charges against her were all fabricated.”

READ: De Lima’s birthday wish: More fortitude to continue defying oppressors

/vvp