Dispatch from Crame No. 642: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s Statement on the proposed transfer of New Bilibid Prison to an “Alcatraz-like” prison (4 November 2019)
Those who advocate for the transfer of NBP to an “isolated place,” an “Alcatraz-like” facility, among whom are Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar and BuCor Director-General Gerard Bantag, are of jurassic minds. The concept of restorative justice is totally alien to these bull-minded law enforcers. Human rights, to them, are a trash idea. The Duterte psyche. […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 641: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s Sunday Reflections
On the evening of Friday, Nov. 1, after lighting some candles in my quarters, I wanted to feel the spirit of my dearly departed loved ones, esp. my Daddy. I wanted to see a butterfly or butterflies which, by some folklore, are associated with heavenly spirits that manifest themselves during solemn feasts like All Saints […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 640: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s Statement on Duterte’s Continued Insults vs. VP Leni Robredo
Tila ayaw tantanan sa pang-iinsulto ni Duterte si VP Leni. Abogado raw na walang alam sa batas? Mahiya naman kami sa iyo, Mr. Duterte, sa pagka-humble mo tungkol sa pagkamagaling mo sa batas. Nagawa mo pang gawing tama ang pangungurakot at pangongotong ng kapulisan para lamang idiin na mali si VP Leni na sabihing bawal […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 639: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s Statement on the Interpol Red Notice vs. Ms. Bahareh Zare Bahari
Right to non-refoulement, or the right not to be returned to a country where one would be at risk of persecution or faces threats to his or her life or freedom for reasons of, among others, political opinion. This well-recognized principle under international human rights law should be foremost in the minds of relevant authorities […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 638: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s Statement on the Arrest of the 57 Activists in Negros
The arrest of 57 activists after the implementation of a search warrant in the offices of progressive groups in Bacolod and Escalante City is yet another page from Duterte’s manual on tyranny. Questions on the legality of the arrest have been raised. This blatant attack on political dissent, once again disguised as law enforcement, is […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 637: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s statement on the persistent ‘Drug Czar’ offer to VP Robredo
Duterte’s continuous dangling of the supposed ‘Drug Czar’ Cabinet post for VP Leni Robredo is both the saddest and stupidest things this administration has churned out lately. I compare it with the silly traps that Tom lays down for Jerry as he hides around the corner, hoping that Jerry would be dumb enough to jump […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 636: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s Statement on Mr. Duterte’s Dare to Vice President Leni Robredo to take over Drug War
Duterte’s tongue-in-cheek proposal for VP Leni Robredo to take over his war on drugs for six months is the sort that appeals to his fanatic fan base. But like all his other statements of the kind, it is senseless and outrageous when it comes to being considered as a serious policy pronouncement. Of course, the […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 635: Sen. Leila M. de Lima on the inhumane conditions inside the New Bilibid Prison
The attached message, as emailed to my office, from the wife of a Person Deprived of Liberty (PDL) inside the NBP’s Maximum Security Compound bewailing the treatment of PDLs in the ongoing clearing operations in said facility, compels me once again to make this plea. To allow PDLs to live in decrepit and abusive prison […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 634: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s Sunday Reflections
That I remain whole – sane, healthy and strong – on the face of incessant challenges and struggles is such a great blessing. I must remain whole and with a higher threshold for patience to bear with each of my court appearances, listening to lies spoken with effrontery by witnesses testifying under oath, such as […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 633: Sen. Leila M. de Lima on the Ambush of Clarin, Misamis Occidental Mayor David Navarro
Another killing, a brazen execution in broad daylight, before the very noses of helpless police escorts! Just another incident that desensitizes our collective repulsion towards violence. A dying Rule of Law!