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 […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 723: Pahayag ni Sen. Leila M. de Lima ukol sa Pagdinig ng Senado sa usapin ng Franchise Renewal ng ABS-CBN
Ang pag-usad ng pagdinig ng Senado ngayong araw ukol sa prangkisa ng ABS-CBN ay isang positibong hakbang sa maraming antas at aspeto. Unang-una: nakasalalay rito ang karapatan sa pamamahayag ng ABS-CBN. Isa itong batayang karapatan sa ating Saligang Batas na hindi maaaring ipagkait kaninuman, maliban lamang kung may exceptional at mahigpit na kadahilanan, na walang-wala […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 722: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s Message of Thanks on the Success of the Lawfare Forum
Today marks my 3rd full year in detention. Tomorrow marks the beginning of my 4th. I don’t know for how long I will remain unjustly detained but I do know one thing for certain: my will to fight for what is right remains undeterred and, in fact, is validated and reinvigorated by recent developments and […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 721: Sen. Leila M. de Lima on the Killing of BuCor’s Legal Division Chief
The killing of BuCor’s Legal Division Chief Fredric Anthony Santos in front of his daughter’s school in broad daylight tells us three things. First, this regime is populated by gangsters who have watched too much mafia movies and copycat the most inhumane and grotesque assassination techniques depicted in such movies. Pumping bullets into a father […]