Dispatch from Crame No. 733: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s Statement on Duterte’s Defense of POGOs
Duterte’s response to the growing public clamor against POGOs has made it clear that he does not have the best interest of the Filipino people at heart. The Senate has been doing a commendable job in exposing the evils of the POGOs. Sen. Joel Villanueva has shown how the labor sector has been flooded by […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 732: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s call for solidarity amid COVID-19 outbreak
During times of crisis, our government should ensure that access to reliable public utilities and vital services remain unhindered. All should have access to right information, healthy food, clean supply of water, among others, to enable us to survive the brunt of the coronavirus pandemic. I make this urgent appeal as a Filipino, a Senator […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 731: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s Statement on the Filing of Perjury Cases against Human Rights Activists and Defenders
Sa mata ng batas ni Rodrigo Duterte, isang paglabag ang ipagtanggol ang karapatang pantao kahit ng mga pinakamahihirap nating kabababayan. In his desperate attempt to silence dissent, he has once again blatantly weaponized the law against those who dare stand up against his atrocious policies. Members of Karapatan, Gabriela, and 63-year-old Sr. Emma Cupin of […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 730: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s further comments on the issue of Senate concurrence for treaty abrogation
In my Dispatch yesterday, I made the argument that while the 1987 Constitution did not explicitly provide for the procedure in treaty abrogation, its very spirit or philosophy and the Framers’ intent unmistakably requires Senate concurrence not only for treaty-making but for treaty-unmaking as well. An effective check and balance had to be instituted in […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 729: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s Statement on the Adoption of Senate Resolution No. 337
I support the move of Senate President Sotto, as backed up by a majority vote of the Senate, to bring before the Supreme Court the matter of requiring Senate concurrence in the abrogation of treaties and international agreements. Although SP Sotto’s Resolution does not categorically express the position that Senate concurrence is necessary in the […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 728: On Panelo’s and Go’s remarks that Sen. Leila M. de Lima should be in the list submitted to the U.S., and Duterte’s claim that she was properly investigated and prosecuted
Malacañang has come up with this ridiculous response that I should have included myself in the list I submitted to the US State Department of the people who should be banned entry to the US for being responsible for my persecution. Malacañang says I should also be banned entry to the US because I am […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 727: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s Statement on the Passage of the Anti-Terrorism Bill
Last week, my colleagues voted to approve on third reading the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020. Had I been there, I would have voted against it. Here’s why. We have a government that is more intent in suppressing dissent than protecting our people. I am against terrorism. It is an evil that all of us […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 726: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s Statement on the AFP’s Acquiescence and the People’s Capitulation to Treason
The Filipino people must act before treason becomes capitulation. Let me explain. Duterte says that if we cannot be capable in defending our country, we should choose either to be a US territory or a province of China. However, it is clear that he has already chosen for us, and his choice is for us […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 725: Sen Leila M. de Lima’s Statement on POGOs as a Threat to National Security and Stability
The Bureau of Immigration “Pastillas Scandal” is just the latest in a long line of controversies surrounding Duterte’s pivot to China. The list includes the then appointment of Chinese citizen Michael Yang as presidential economic adviser; the billions in dollars of questionable infrastructure agreements entered into with China in October 2016 under China’s Belt and […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 724: Sen. Leila M. de Lima on tying yellow ribbons as tribute to EDSA People Power anniversary
As a fitting tribute to a most momentous, unparalleled event in our country’s history, hailed or acclaimed all over the world, I urge my friends, allies and other defenders of democracy, to pin or put a yellow ribbon on their clothes, vehicles, gates, fences, windows and other proper places or structures, starting today up to […]