Senator Leila de Lima waves at her supporters following her appearance at the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court, February 24, 2017. INQUIRER PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA
Two senators have expressed their sympathy for Senator Leila de Lima, who was arrested Friday morning and detained in Camp Crame for alleged involvement in illegal drugs.
“Even if we do not belong to the same party, I am also concerned for her. My message for her is the same message I told her when she was new in the Senate, just be strong,” Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito said in a text message on Friday.
“As a colleague, I am concerned for Sen. De Lima’s safety. We must remember she was a former DOJ (Department of Justice) Secretary and as such she may have stepped on many toes before,” he added.
Ejercito and De Lima are part of the so-called “supermajority” in the Senate.
Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero said he was “saddened” by recent developments but prayed that De Lima would not lose hope.
“As her colleague in the Senate, I am saddened by recent events. I know Sen. De Lima to be a fighter and a courageous person who will not let this dampen her spirits,” Escudero, a member of the Senate minority, said in a statement.
“I pray that truth and justice will prevail in her case—whomsoever its face may look favorably upon—and likewise pray for her children as she faces perhaps the toughest battle in her life,” he said.
Escudero said he would still work with De Lima, even if she is detained, especially in crafting “meaningful legislation and shedding light on the crimes and shortcomings of abusive and corrupt officials in government.”
“Finally, I pray that she keep the faith and not lose hope in the knowledge and belief that ‘this, too, shall pass,'” he said. JN
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