Dispatch from Crame No. 445: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s statement on the “Fearless Four” and the Imperative Need for an Independent Judiciary
No society can call itself truly just and free without an independent judiciary. On the freedom of the courts depends so much the exercise of our liberties. On the moral authority of the judiciary relies so much of the quality of justice that we pursue. And, an independent judiciary rests largely on the integrity, competence […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 444: Time to be angry. Time to say “ENOUGH”
It is unfortunate to close the year 2018 with yet another despicable speech from a deranged and ever increasingly loose cannon of a President. The trash that comes out from the foul mouth of this President – the “confession” about the sexual assault of a kasambahay and the intensified attacks against the Catholic faith – […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 443: An Expression of Sympathy for the Casualties of Tropical Depression “Usman”
To my Kababayans: I am saddened by tragic news that befell our region, particularly the severe flooding that submerged many areas, including Rinconada. I want to express my heartfelt sympathy to all who have lost their loved ones and those whose kin are still missing. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I appeal for […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 442: JUSTICE: A PRE-NEW YEAR’S REFLECTIONS
“What is ‘justice’?” is a question that many people all over the world apparently wondered about this year, it being the top lookup at Merriam-Webster.com (with the entry being searched 74% more than in 2017), resulting in its declaration as the Word of the Year by the online dictionary. Needless to state, being detained for 674 days […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 441: Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima on Liberal Party’s Project Makinig: TIME TO LISTEN
Isa sa pinakabatayang pangangailangan ng tao ay ang umunawa at ang maunawaan. At ang pinakamabisang paraan para makaunawa ay ang makinig. Sa loob ng nakalipas na sampung (10) linggo, umpisa noong Oktubre hanggang ika-15 ng Disyembre, isinagawa sa pamumuno ng Liberal Party ang Project Makinig. Pakay nito ang makalap ang mga kwento, pangarap at pangamba […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 440: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s Best Christmas Gift—Her Mom’s visit
I had an incredible moment yesterday. I got my best Christmas gift. My Mom, who’s clueless about my situation, visited me for the first time. A most surprising and unexpected visit. She came, unannounced, at around 9:00 a.m., or right before our regular 10:00 a.m. Sunday Mass, accompanied by my brother Nonoy and our aunt, […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 439: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s Statement on Bullying
When we face incidents of bullying, especially involving children, there is only one legitimate goal: to stop the bullying. It is not to seek retribution. It is not to shame and punish per se. Any shame and punishment that an apparent “bully” might experience should be secondary to their understanding that what they did was […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 438: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s statement on the continuing rise of Death Toll in War On Drugs
My heart breaks when I read on the newspaper last Wed. (Dec. 19) about the story of Mary Ann, an 11-year-old orphan who needs to beg and sing Christmas carols so that she can save for the funeral of her mother who died last Dec. 16. According to news reports, her mother was shot dead […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 437: Senator Leila M. de Lima’s Statement on the Passage of a House Resolution Endorsing the Shift to Federal Government and the Removal of Term Limits
Just before Congress went on recess last week, the House of Representatives approved Resolution of Both Houses No. 15 (RBH15) which proposes revisions in the 1987 Constitution. Led by no other than House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her allies, RBH15 proposes a shift from a unitary form of government to a federal system where, among […]
Dispatch from Crame No. 436: Opposition Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s Statement on the Pork Barrel Insertions in the 2019 Budget: Corruption galore!
What a circus, to say the least! What a royal rumble! Duterte’s political allies, political vultures all, are now at each other’s throat – House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo versus Alvarez, and Reps. Andaya and Suarez versus Budget Secretary Diokno over the billions of “pork” largesse sneakily inserted into the proposed national budget. The matrix of […]