Dispatch from Crame No. 632: Sen. Leila M. de Lima on the retirement of Senior Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio
Congratulations and happy birthday to Senior Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio who, as he turns 70 today, retires from the Supreme Court after 18 years of exemplary service to the nation. I express my deepest respect and gratitude to him for being a true servant of the Filipino people – always standing for truth and […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 631: Sen. Leila M. de Lima on the harassment of the UP Visayas Skimmers
The UP Visayas Skimmers hit the nail on the head with their performance that criticized President Duterte’s anti-people policies. It smacks of the truth, without sugarcoating the reality under this administration. Their presentation is only a reaction to the truth and reflects the brutal reality articulated by Duterte himself in his public speeches. It was […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 630: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s statement on the House proposal for a 2-year workers’ probationary period
The proposal for a 2-year probationary period for workers is not a solution at all to the long-time woes of Filipino workers. Pahahabain pa nito lalo ang paghihirap ng mga manggagawa. It is a fog in which to hide the real issue. This ominous fog for a proposal will not only enshroud the actual issue […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 629: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s Statement on Gordon’s Repeated Malicious Accusation that She Raised Campaign Funds from the GCTA
I do not really know what Sen. Gordon’s beef with me is. He is the only source of the supposed rumor that I used the GCTA IRR to shake down prisoners. He repeats the same lie today on ANC’s Headstart. (My staff immediately sent to me the transcription of said interview.) But his loose tongue […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 628: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s Sunday Reflections
An extraordinary novel I’m currently hooked reading is Laura Hillenbrand’s “Unbroken,” a World War II true story of survival, resilience and redemption. Agonizingly tortuous yet inspiring. From this rare book of flawless storytelling, I cannot resist sharing these most profound and deeply stirring lines: “Dignity…This self-respect and sense of self-worth, the innermost armament of the […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 627: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s statement on impunity and cover-ups, and the possible fate of ninja cops
Lack of accountability breeds impunity. General/Mayor Magalong’s apprehension that the ninja cops will probably end up dead is well-founded, given the deeply-entrenched culture of impunity and violence that Rodrigo Duterte has propagated since he came into power. It is not far-fetched that these ninja cops will be eliminated to protect the masterminds of a flourishing […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 626: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s prayer for the early recovery of former Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr.
I join many, especially his family, in fervent prayers for the early recovery of former Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr. who is reportedly very ill and in ICU.
Dispatch from Crame No. 625: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s Sunday Sharing
Each society should be judged by the value it puts on human dignity and human conscience. Failing on this score is to brutalize the human spirit and humanity. Our treatment, for example, of Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs), those confined in severely congested and decrepit national prisons and city jails, warrants serious reflection. Tough-sounding measures, […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 624: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s Statement on the Supreme Court’s Decision Allowing Mary Jane Veloso to Testify versus Recruiters
I welcome the Supreme Court’s decision to allow Mary Jane Veloso to testify by way of deposition against her illegal recruiters, who used her as a drug mule in Indonesia. It was during my term as Justice Secretary when the DOJ task force designated to review Mary Jane’s case recommended to convince the Indonesian Government […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 623: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s statement on Spokesperson Panelo’s remarks on the transportation problem in Metro Manila
Spokesperson Salvador Panelo is obviously out of touch with the dismal state of mass transportation in the country, particularly in Metro Manila. He has the gall to say there is no transportation crisis. What I see here is an accountability crisis, where this administration refuses to take responsibility over the deteriorating state of mobility in […]