Dispatch from Crame No. 1,023: Sen. Leila M. de Lima on China’s new Coast Guard Law
Habang abala ang Malacañang magbenta ng Sinovac sa mga Filipino, lalong pinapatibay ng China ang kanilang presensyang militar sa West Philippine Sea. Just recently, they enacted their new Coast Guard Law. This authorized their Coast Guard to use “all necessary means,” including use of weapons against foreign vessels. This law also allows Coast Guard personnel […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 1,022: Sen. Leila M. de Lima on the termination of the UP-DND Accord
UP is our finest academic institution. It is the national university. Year after year, they proudly represent us in the world’s top university rankings. Not only is UP a consistent participant in national conversations, they take part also in addressing our country’s problems. UP experts are a constant fixture in policy discussions from legislative deliberations […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 1,021: Sen. Leila M. de Lima on the alarming price increase of basic commodities
Gising, Pilipinas! While government is trying to justify the #Sinovacumita deal, people are carrying the heavy burden of rising prices of basic commodities! Kamusta naman na mas mahal pa ang kilo ng baboy kaysa sa arawang sweldo ng karaniwang Pilipino? Lahat na ng presyo nagtaasan, kalidad ng serbisyo niyo na lang ang nananatiling mababa! Aba, […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 1,020: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s Emotions-Filled Reflection on Loss of Loved Ones
The remains of our beloved Marianne will be laid to rest this morning. An intense grief lurks within me over the loss of a loving, generous, and exceptionally brave sister-in-law whom I know was holding on to dear life, yearning to await my freedom. By her deep faith (“May awa ang Diyos,” she would always […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 1,019: Sen. Leila M. de Lima on the need to amend the Party-list Law
I join the growing call in the Senate to simply amend the Party-List System Act, which has long been bastardized by those so drunk on powers, money and influence, instead of pushing for Cha-Cha. How is this a valid excuse anyway? Calling for Cha-Cha in order to reform the party-list system and weed out the […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 1,018: Sen. Leila M. de Lima on #SINOVACumita? The lack of transparency in the Sinovac COVID-19 Vaccine
Naamoy niyo rin ba ang alingasaw ng anomalya? This administration’s obtrusive and forceful action of short-changing the process and blind preference to the Sinovac vaccine only breeds mistrust and serious suspicions of corruption and “kickbacks” in the deal. For reference, Indonesia’s State-owned pharmaceutical company PT Bio Farma confirmed in October last year that its procurement […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 1,017: Sen. Leila M. de Lima on the killing of another red-tagged activist Aldrin Enriquez
The killing spree of red-tagged individuals pervades and persists. The latest victim is the brother of the former yaya of my nephew. Police operatives, according to reports, barged into the home of Aldrin Enriquez in Brgy. Sagrada in Iriga City, my home city, at midnight last Jan. 6, asked for his identity then shot him […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 1,016: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s short response to Roque’s latest insulting remarks on Fuga, Grande and Chiquita issue
You don’t even have to sell in name if it is already sold in fact. Let’s call a spade a spade, Mr. Roque. When they are given the opportunity to use and utilize and even abuse and exploit the resources therein, wouldn’t that amount to prostituting our islands? Katumbas ng pinakalamaking kasalanan na pagtataksil sa […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 1,015: Sen. Leila M. de Lima on Dolphin Man’s pronouncement that Filipinos can’t choose COVID-19 vaccine brand they want to receive
Presidential mouthpiece Harry Roque once again earned the ire of the nation when he said that the public should not be picky with the COVID-19 vaccines. Nahawa na ata sa klase ng pag-iisip ng boss nya. Sabihan ba naman ang taumbayan na bawal daw maging pihikan? Aba, terible! Hindi PSG ang taumbayan para pilitin at […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 1,014: Sen. Leila M. de Lima on the Shocking, Unprecedented US Capitol Siege
The failed coup in the US capital the other day shows us the fragility of democracy even at its global center. Forces that aim to put an end to it, both from within and outside of the halls of the US Capitol, have been frustrated in their attempt to thwart the peaceful transfer of power […]