De Lima: People know who are the real victims of political persecution

MANILA, Philippines — Detained Senator Leila de Lima on Wednesday lashed at those opposing calls to allow her to attend Senate session through teleconferencing.

“People know who are, and are not, the real victims of political persecution,” De Lima said in a statement from the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame where she is being detained for drug charges.

A group composed of former senators and top government officials, including former President Benigno Aquino III, earlier called on the Duterte administration to let De Lima fully discharge her duties as senator by attending plenary sessions, among others.

READ: Group that includes Aquino asks Duterte to let De Lima fully discharge duties as senator

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Senator Panfilo Lacson have also filed a resolution to allow De Lima to join Senate deliberations through teleconferencing.

The resolution was also backed by Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto.

However, Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla strongly opposed such calls.

“The double standards and sense of entitlement of some people are frankly quite disheartening,” Revilla earlier said in a statement.

“When I was incarcerated due to politically motivated charges, which the Court has finally settled in my acquittal, a very vocal group were against my participation in Senate proceedings,” he added.

READ: Demanding fair play, Revilla blocks De Lima teleconferencing 

Revilla then pointed out that when he and former senators  Juan Ponce Enrile and Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada were in detention, the Senate leadership then said that their absence would not affect the work in the upper chamber.

In 2014, Revilla was charged and detained over the so-called “pork barrel” scam.

The Sandiganbayan acquitted him of plunder in December 2018 and later ordered his release.

Meanwhile, neophyte Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa raised this question following growing calls for De Lima to be allowed to participate in Senate proceedings through video conferencing: “What if lahat ng detained na mga incumbent government officials ay manghihingi mabibigyan ng the same privilege?”

READ: Bato on call for De Lima to work: What if all detained officials ask the same? 

“Paano natin ma-accommodate?” Dela Rosa asked.  /muf