Group of women praises De Lima for preventing Arroyo flight

MANILA, Philippines—A group of women trooped to the Department of Justice in Manila on Monday to honor the “heroic deeds” of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima in barring former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from leaving the country.

Members of the Partido ng Lakas Masa praised De Lima for leading the government’s efforts to investigate Arroyo’s alleged role in rigging the 2007 elections which eventually led to her indictment for electoral sabotage and arrest.

One of the group’s placards read: “Hero of the Moment.” Another said: “De Lima OK ka. The people demand full justice.”

Nelia Vibar, PLM council member, lauded the justice secretary for her “courage to protect the people’s right to choose our own leaders.”

“Secretary De Lima showed the traits of a courageous woman worthy of emulation,” Vibar told reporters in Filipino.

“She should be the leader of our country. She should be our next President,” the PLM leader said.

Before leaving the area, Vibar and her group gave a bouquet of red roses to a staff member of De Lima’s office.