Before assuming Senate post, De Lima to join Robredo legal team

Senator Leila De Lima
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA

While waiting to assume her new office as senator, Liberal Party (LP) candidate Leila de Lima will join the legal team of leading vice presidential aspirant Camarines Sur Rep. Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo.

Robredo’s election lawyer Romulo Macalintal on Monday said that the former Justice Secretary will be an “overall consultant” of their team.

“Actually, Secretary Leila asked me if she could join our team. I’m very glad when she called me up,” Macalintal told reporters at the LP’s Balay headuqarters in Cubao, Quezon City.

Macalintal explained that De Lima could still join them as a private citizen. De Lima was a former election lawyer.

“She’s not officially installed yet so wala pang (there is no) assumption to office,” he said.

Robredo is in a close fight for the vice presidency with rival Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, who claims he is a victim of election cheating.

READ: Marcos camp: New script installed in Comelec server

While Macalintal is representing Robredo in the congressional canvassing of votes, former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. will represent Marcos.

READ: Ex-Comelec chair Brillantes to represent Marcos in vote canvassing

As of the latest, Robredo is leading Marcos by at least 210,000 votes. RAM/rga