De Lima bares what’s next for her after acquittal

WHAT LIES AHEAD Former Sen. Leila de Lima says her fight against all forms of injustice and oppression will continue now that she has regained her full freedom. —GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — What is next for former Senator Leila de Lima?

De Lima was arrested and detained in 2017, a year after winning a Senate seat. While fulfilling her legislative duties, she faced a string of criminal cases filed by the Duterte administration, including three illegal drug trade cases and two cases for disobedience.

She has been acquitted on the three drug charges, while the disobedience case against her was dismissed for violating her right to speedy trial and due process.

READ: Vindication for De Lima as last drug case junked

Will she run in next year’s mid-term election?

“No, I have no decision yet. What I meant by ‘tuloy ang laban’ ay tuloy ang laban kontra sa injustices at sa oppression dahil ang dami nang naging biktima ng injustice at oppression,” de Lima said after she was acquitted in the remaining drug case.

(I have no decision yet. What I meant by ‘the fight continues’ is the fight against injustices and oppression because so many people have become victims of injustice and oppression.)

“Sabay-sabay pa nating tutukan ang paniniguro na magbabayad ang mga abusado sa kapangyarihan at mga umalipusta sa karapatang pantao,” de Lima added.

(To the public who followed my cases, thank you. Let’s all continue to ensure that those who abused power and trampled on human rights are held accountable.)

De Lima said she is still adjusting to her newfound freedom.

Currently, aside from being the spokesperson for the Liberal Party (LP), she said she is teaching and will probably return to legal practice.

De Lima also said she would help in the International Criminal Court (ICC) case against former President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Tumutulong ako diyan, tutulong ako. And kaya nga ang mensahe ko kay Ginoong Duterte, siya ngayon ang mananagot, kailangan panagutin dahil wala namang nangyayari dito sa Pilipinas. Kaunting-kaunti ‘yung napoprosecute at nako-convict. Handa akong tumulong talaga sa ICC para makamtan ang hustisya ng mga naging biktima,” she said.

(I am helping; I will help. My message to Mr. Duterte is that he will now be held accountable. He needs to be held accountable because nothing is happening here in the Philippines. Very few are being prosecuted and convicted. I am ready to help achieve justice for the victims.)

Will she file a case against those who filed a case against her?

“My lawyers have been studying that already, and there are still other cases I’ve asked them to study. We will announce in due time,” she said.

Meanwhile, when asked about de Lima’s acquittal, former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguire said, “That has been expected for a long time. As I said before, I am happy for this development as she had suffered enough already.”