De Lima seeks furlough to attend son’s graduation

Sen. Leila De Lima
(File photo by LYN RILLON / Philippine Daily Inquier)

Detained Senator Leila de Lima has filed an urgent motion before the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court Branches 205 and 206 to grant her a furlough to attend the June 3 graduation rites of her youngest son.

In filing her motion last May 15, De Lima requested the Court to allow her to attend Vincent Joshua de Lima Bohol’s commencement rites with at least two to three hours of allowance at the end of the ceremony for some personal time with her son and family.

“(The) Accused begs leave that she be allowed to share this joyous moment with her son and family, and to be there to continue to affirm her support as her son is set to take the bar exams in November 2018 to fulfill his childhood dream of becoming a lawyer, taking inspiration from his parents,” she said in her furlough request.

The senator noted that her son is set to graduate with a bachelor degree in law from San Beda College, in Alabang, Muntilupa during its 8th Commencement Exercises, tentatively scheduled from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on June 3.

In justifying her plea, De Lima cited how furloughs on special occasions and personal matters were previously granted by the Supreme Court and the Sandiganbayan, such as birthday of the accused and visit to a sick relative, respectively.

De Lima specifically cited former Senator Jinggoy Estrada’s case, then detained at the Custodial Center in Camp Crame, whose similar motion to attend the high school graduation of his son Julio Emilio Estrada was granted by the Sandiganbayan.

“A family member’s graduation is regarded as a milestone event in every Filipino family. To be personally present in such a special occasion is more than a compelling duty on the part of the accused De Lima as a mother,” she added in her petition.

It is the third time that the senator has sought the Court’s permission to grant her furlough. The first was to attend the Senate inquiry on the death of Kian de los Santos but was deemed moot, and the second one was to seek medical check-up last May 10 which was granted. /jpv

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