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 […]
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 […]