De Lima backs Macalintal’s push for Senate

Election lawyer-turned-senatorial aspirant Romulo Macalintal shows his COC after filing his candidacy at the Comelec on Oct. 17, 2018. PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER / RICHARD REYES

Detained Senator Leila de Lima on Wednesday vouched for the track record and integrity of election lawyer Romulo Macalintal, who is aiming for a Senate seat in the 2019 midterm elections.

De Lima said she had known the veteran election lawyer since her years of practice as an election counsel.

“Ilan-ilan lang kami noon sa ganitong field of law practice kaya madalas na kami-kami lang din ang magkakaharap o magkakasama sa mga kaso. Natural, dahil mabait si Romy Mac, naging magkaibigan kami,” she recounted in a press statement, Wednesday.

Having seen how Macalintal worked and dealt with authorities, clients and the public, De Lima said she was “deeply impressed” with him.

“Higit sa lahat: Romy Mac is highly principled. Uncompromising. Devoutly Christian. You may disagree with him on some points of law and matters of evidence, but you cannot question his values and moral scruples,” the senator stressed.

Moreover, De Lima said Macalintal is also carrying the banner for the underprivileged and marginalized sectors, such as the senior citizens and persons with disability.

Macalintal filed his certificate of candidacy early Wednesday, completing the eight-member senatorial slate of the opposition coalition.

READ: Macalintal files COC for senator in 2019 polls

He is the lead counsel of Vice President Leni Robredo in the electoral protest filed by the son and namesake of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, former Sen. Bongbong Marcos, Jr.

Batangas Rep. Vilma Santos has also endorsed Macalintal’s senatorial bid. /cbb

READ: Opposition completes 8-member senatorial slate for 2019 polls / Vilma Santos endorses Romulo Macalintal for senator