De lima honored, grateful after being named Liberal Party spokesperson

HOME SWEET HOME Former Senator Leila de Lima visited her ancestral home in Barangay San Agustin, Iriga city, Camarines Sur after she allowed to post bail and released from detention. (Photos taken by MARK ALVIC ESPLANA)

MANILA, Philippines — Former senator Leila de Lima takes on a new role as spokesperson of Liberal Party (LP).

The information came from LP president and Albay 1st District Representative Edcel Lagman on Tuesday.

“Albay Representative Edcel C. Lagman, President of the Liberal Party of the Philippines (LP), disclosed that former Senator Leila de Lima has been designated as the official spokesperson of the LP during the Party’s ManCom meeting yesterday, 04 December 2023,” the statement from LP read.

“The former senator from Bicol has also been previously appointed as the Party’s Vice President for Policy, Platform, and Advocacy,” it further said.

“De Lima, who has been a long-standing member of the Liberal Party, committed to resume her active role in advocating and enhancing the Party’s advocacy on good governance, social justice and liberalism,” the statement added.

In a separate statement, de Lima thanked her party-mates for trusting her.

“Honored and grateful to be designated as LP Spokesperson,” de Lima said.

“Together with the dedicated leadership of Cong. Edcel Lagman as President & Sen. Kiko Pangilinan as Chairman, I hope to convey our Party’s message of reforms and advocacy on good governance, social justice and civil liberties,” the former lawmaker noted.

“Sama-sama po nating palakasin ang ating boses at paninindigan para sa ating kolektibong adhikain para sa LP at sa minamahal nating bansa, kung saan sa taumbayan nagmumula ang tunay na kapangyarihan,” she said.

(Together, let us strengthen our voice and be resolute for our collective goal for LP and for our beloved country, where the power emanates from the people.)

“Tuloy ang laban!” she concluded.

(The fight continues!)

De Lima was previously detained at Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center.

She was allowed to post bail on November 13 due to the lack of substantial evidence against her in the drug charges she is facing.

Lagman said de Lima has not revealed her future political plans yet.

De Lima sought re-election during the 2022 national elections as part of former Vice President Leni Robredo’s slate.

She did not make it to the Magic 12.