Dispatch from Crame No. 538: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s Statement on Neptali Morada’s Murder: A Clear Pattern of Targetted Killings of Activists and Human Rights Defenders (HRDs)
Another human rights defender (HRD) fell. On his way to work last Monday, Neptali Morada, former regional coordinator of Bayan-Bicol, was murdered. The obvious questions must be asked: Who killed him and what was the motive? This transpired just days after two human rights workers were slain in Sorsogon, both in the same manner: organized […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 537: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s Statement on the Nature of Duterte’s Treason
Ten days have passed since the ramming of the Gem-Vir 1 by the Chinese boat Yuemaobinyu 42212 in Philippine waters near Palawan. After the initial condemnation expressed by DND Secretary Delfin Lorenzana – eventually withdrawn – all that we have heard from the Duterte Administration is an orchestrated response in defense of China. Duterte himself […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 536: Sen. Leila M. de Lima on wish to adopt a rescued abused cat
I’m enraged beyond measure upon reading the PDI article yesterday, “Volunteer group to file raps vs. rescued cat’s abusers” by Matthew Reysio-Cruz. It made me cry, more so that I’m still in mourning from my recent loss last June 12 of my favorite stray cat, “Bran”, colored white like the rescued abused cat, “Van”. I […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 535: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s statement on Duterte’s cowardly remark regarding the Recto Bank ramming incident
This is too much! President Duterte downplaying the Recto Bank ramming incident as a “little maritime accident.” This was preceded by an equally callous comment from an alter ego of his, Energy Secretary Alfredo Cusi, describing the damage to the Philippine fishing boat as “daplis lang.” Dahil dito napilitan si kapitan Junel Insigne na umatras […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 534: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s Statement on the two perjured gov’t witnesses in the trumped-up drug charges vs her
There you have it! Two prosecution witnesses accusing each other of criminal wrongdoings. Rafael Ragos accuses Jovencio Ablen, Jr. of involvement in the illegal drug trade, along with inmate Froilan Trestiza and former NBI agent John Herra who was later murdered. On the other hand, Ablen points to Ragos as a recipient of “tara” from […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 533: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s Statement on the Recto Bank Incident between Chinese and Filipino Fishing Vessels
The actions of the Chinese fishermen who abandoned the 22 Filipino fishermen after their collision in the Recto Bank is deplorable. I join our community of patriotic Filipinos in condemning their acts and calling for justice. Ang ginawang hit-and-run ng mga Tsino laban sa mga mangingisda natin ay nagpapakita na wala silang good faith sa […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 532: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s Statement on Duterte’s Latest Assaults on the Catholic Church during a Recent Interview with Pastor Quiboloy
I am a Catholic. I was baptized and raised as one. I’ve always endeavored to nurture and strengthen my faith as I grow older. My faith has deepened in these most trying times of my life. I therefore take deep offense at Mr. Duterte’s incessant vilification, insults and attacks against the Catholic Church, singling it […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 531: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s Statement on the Absurd Testimony of Prosecution Witness, former BuCor officer-in-charge Rafael Ragos
I don’t have to further comment on the utter absurdity and incredulity of the testimony of another perjured prosecution witness, Rafael Ragos, during last Friday’s hearing in one of my drug cases. Right-thinking netizens have said enough. And they have every right to be irate. Only idiots will believe the fictional tales of Ragos and […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 530: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s Reflection on “Elderly Mothers Bear the Emotional Burden of the Drug War”
“No mother should bury her child.” This is what every mother fears. Sadly, under this tyrannical Duterte regime and its failed War on Drugs, this is a tragic reality that thousands of mothers have gone through; a harrowing ordeal that they live with every day. Global Health NOW’s article, “Elderly Mothers Bear the Emotional Burden […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 528: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s Statement on Li Boy’s plea for justice for his father, labor activist Maoj Maga (5 June 2019)
I have seen the photo of a 10-year-old boy, Li Boy, speaking at a rally calling for the release of his father, Maoj Maga, an organizer of transport group Piston and staff of Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) Labor Center. It is even more heartbreaking to see Li Boy hugging his mother when he heard the […]