Former Senator Leila de Lima visits and prays in the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag in Pangasinan on November 14, 2023. (Photo courtesy of De Lima’s office)
MANILA, Philippines — A day after her release from almost seven years of detention, former Senator Leila de Lima visited the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag in Pangasinan.
As seen in the photos sent by her office to the media, De Lima is seen praying inside Manaoag Church at around 10 a.m. on Tuesday.
On Monday, the Muntinlupa court allowed De Lima to post bail.
READ: Muntinlupa court allows De Lima to post bail
That same day, the former senator underwent physical and medical examinations at the custodial facility of the Philippine National Police (PNP) before she was released.
As she inched closer to freedom, De Lima described her temporary freedom as “sweet” during a short encounter with media members on the same day.
READ: Why did court grant bail for De Lima and others?
The former senator was arrested in 2017 for drug allegations. De Lima had maintained her innocence and repeatedly denied the accusations against her.
She was first acquitted in February 2021 after one of the three cases filed against her was junked by the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 205.
Last May 12, the Muntinlupa RTC Branch 204 likewise cleared both De Lima and former aide Ronnie Dayan on charges related to the illegal drug trade.
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