Dispatch from Crame No. 652: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s Further Remarks on Duterte’s Insistence on her Guilt
Doesn’t Mr. Duterte realize that his many public statements since August 0f 2016, all documented by media, which prejudge my guilt, are a veritable strong cause for a mistrial? A farcical trial fueled by this President’s lies and vindictiveness borne out of deep-seated personal hatred and prejudice. That’s what it is! Sadly, our court system […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 651: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s Statement on Duterte’s Rehashed Remarks on her Alleged Guilt
Duterte says that the charges against me are true, on his oath as President. Well, we all know what his oath is worth. Duterte swore to defend the Constitution, including the Bill of Rights. Instead, he waged a drug war that summarily executed thousands of Filipinos, depriving them of life without due process of law. […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 650: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s Statement on Duterte’s Deceitful Intentions vis-à-vis VP Leni Robredo
Patuloy ang panloloko ni Duterte kay VP Leni Robredo. Ngayon, ang sinasabi niya ay wala siyang tiwala kay VP Leni kaya hindi niya gagawing kasapi ng Gabinete niya. Pero hindi naman daw niya pinagbibitiw bilang co-chair ng ICAD. Mananatili pa rin daw si VP Leni sa ICAD kahit sa tingin niya at ni Panelo ay […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 649: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s Statement on her 1000th Day of Unjust Detention
As I’ve said before, I have never imagined myself being detained and persecuted. Not even in a few hours or a single day. But here I am right now, a lawyer, a public servant who serves my country to the fullest of my capability—still in a solitary, isolated quarters, for one thousand days now. Walang […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 648: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s Statement of Solidarity with the People of Hong Kong against the Police Siege on the Hong Kong Polytechnic University
On the eve of my 1,000th day in unjust detention, another injustice is currently taking place in another part of the world. Hong Kong police, no doubt under pressure from mainland Chinese authorities, continue to lay siege on the Hong Kong Polytechnic University where student and youth protesters are holed up while trying to break […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 647: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s Sunday Reflections
I have a numbing feeling of disbelief as I near the 1,000th day of my unjust detention. Disbelief over my ordeal. An accuser turned accused of unthinkable drug charges. A defender now being defended in court. A protector of victims of abuses and human rights violations, now a victim herself. 1,000 days of a severely […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 646: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s Statement on the non-sharing of info with VP Leni Robredo and limitations imposed on her as ICAD co-chair
We see a lot of duplicity here. What vicious political game is Duterte and his men playing this time? Why the hesitance to share information as to high-value drug lords and related matters with VP Leni? May tinatago ba at natatakot sila mahalungkat ito? Why impose conditions and limitations on her power as ICAD co-chair? […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 645: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s Sunday Thoughts
Sincerity. Decency. Professionalism. Rare commodities in Duterte’s world. Bountiful traits in VP Leni. People see a determined VP Leni out to right the wrongs and restore sanity in the enforcement of the drug war, save lives and pursue justice, and pounce on the real drug lords, their cohorts and protectors. We pray for VP Leni’s […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 644: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s statement on the killing of Judge Mario Bañez
I condemn the murder of Judge Mario Bañez in San Fernando, La Union. As the sixth judge and 43rd person of the law to be killed under the Duterte administration, Bañez’ death is a vicious assault on the judicial sector. This recent attack is yet again the handiwork of the culture of death propagated no […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 643: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s Reaction to VP Leni Robredo’s Acceptance of the ICAD
Kahapon iniisip ko pa kung gaano ka-walang hiya ang panloloko na ginagawa ni Duterte kay VP Leni sa pag-alok sa kanya ng pekeng kapangyarihan bilang co-Chair ng ICAD. Pero ngayong tinanggap ni VP Leni ang posisyon, hindi ko mapagtanto ang aking galak sa posibleng pagbaligtad ng takbo ng pamamalakad sa baluktot na drug war. Now […]