De Lima wishes for ‘old, normal’ life in first Christmas in jail

Senator Leila de Lima.
INQUIRER PHOTO / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

Senator Leila de Lima, jailed for drug charges, would be celebrating her first Christmas in jail. And she hopes that it would be her first and last Christmas in detention.

For her Christmas wish, the senator said she wanted to go back to her “old, normal” life as she asked for vindication from the “trumped-up” drug charges hurled against her.

Detained at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in Camp Crame, De Lima was facing trial for alleged involvement in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) narcotics trade.

“I miss those days where I can do the simple things that make me happy, like going to the wet market, cooking, and driving on top of doing my regular duties as a public servant,” De Lima said in a statement on Saturday.

De Lima said she misses going to the church every Sunday, and visiting Our Lady of Manaoag Church in Pangasinan twice a month.

The senator said she has grown “closer to God” as she has more time to read the Bible.

The DOJ has filed three drug cases against De Lima at the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court. The senator was ordered arrested after the trial court found probable cause in the charges.

Muntinlupa RTC branches 204 and 206, where two of the cases were filed, reset De Lima’s arraignment in January 2018.

The senator also reiterated his wish for an end to alleged extrajudicial killings brought by the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.

“Christmas this year, as with last year, brings sadness and grief to many of our countrymen who will not be with their loved ones killed in Duterte’s drug war,” De Lima said.

“Remember that the campaign against illegal drugs should be based on human rights and the rule of law. Christmas, after all, is best spent if family members remain intact and complete,” she said. /je