De Lima wishes for ‘freedom’ on her birthday

Senator Leila de Lima waves as she arrives at the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court on June 30, 2017, to attend a court proceeding. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

Senator Leila de Lima slammed President Rodrigo Duterte anew on Sunday as she shared her birthday wish of “vindication” and “freedom” from accusations against her.

“Tulad ng nauna ko nang nabanggit, ang birthday wish ko po: vindication,” De Lima said in a statement she released August 27, 2017, her birthday.

“Paglaya hindi lamang mula sa di-makatarungang pagpapakulong sa akin ng rehimeng Duterte, kundi pati na rin ang paglaya mula sa mga kasinungalingan at paninira sa aking pagkababae at pagkatao,” she added.

The senator has been detained since February at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City, due to her alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.

“Gusto ko pong malinis ang pangalan ko, hindi lang para sa aking sarili. Para ito sa aking pamilya—sa aking ama at ina, na pinalaki kaming magkakapatid nang marangal. Para ito sa aking mga anak at mga apo, at sa kanilang magiging pamilya,” De Lima said.

The senator, who has been claiming that the charges against her were “politically-motivated,” maintained her innocence.

“Inosente po ako. Malinis ang aking konsensya. Hindi ko po pinangarap na maging abogado at maging lingkod-bayan para sirain lang ang aming pangalan,” she said

De Lima, a staunch critic of the Duterte administration, also expressed her gratitude to her supporters and vowed to continue “praying until truth and justice prevail.”

“Patuloy ko pong dalangin ang ating tagumpay: Ang mangibabaw ang katotohanan, ang makamtan ang katarungan ng mga pamilyang pinagkaitan ng hustisya, at ang pananaig ng demokrasya,” the senator said. CBB