Photo from Sen. Risa Hontiveros’ staff
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Friday said detained former Senator Leila de Lima did not make any requests from him following the hostage-taking incident she went through at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center.
Marcos said De Lima even declined his offer to have her transferred to another facility for her safety.
“I wanted to ask her if she feels safe because if she doesn’t feel safe sabi ko sa kanya ililipat ka namin, and she said sabi naman niya hindi naman siguro kailangan,” the President said.
(I wanted to ask her if she feels safe because if she doesn’t feel safe I told her I will ask for her transfer to another facility. But she said she does not see the need for it.)
“So she never asked me to do anything, ‘yan lang ‘yung tweet niya [that was her only tweet], what she tweeted yesterday that’s the extent of it, that’s the extent of our discussion with the former senator,” he added.
The President was referring to De Lima’s Twitter post on Thursday, asking him to order the Department of Justice to allow the testimony of key witness Rafael Ragos who recanted his accusations against her.
The detained former senator also asked Marcos to tell the DOJ to “stop presenting obviously perjured witnesses like Herbert Colangco.”
“You can reverse the grievous wrongs inflicted on me by your predecessor. Please, Mr. President. Salamat po,” De Lima said.
Mr. President @bongbongmarcos , I will not and will never ask you to interfere with the courts. This is my earnest and most respectful plea to you, your Excellency: Order DOJ to stop blocking the testimony of the recanting prosecution witness Rafael Ragos [1/2]
— Leila de Lima (@AttyLeiladeLima) October 13, 2022
De Lima, who is detained in Camp Crame, was held hostage last Sunday by detainee Feliciano Sulayao Jr.