Vice President Leni Robredo has assured Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima that she will continue to stand by the Senator as the latter bravely fights for truth, justice, freedom, and human rights amid her ordeal.
Robredo said De Lima, who recently marked her fourth year in unjust detention last Feb. 24, is not alone in her fight because there are a lot of Filipinos who are willing to defend her at all costs.
“Alam kong napakahirap ang mawalay sa pamilya at mga mahal sa buhay especially during these times; maraming takot at pangamba. Pero nandito ako at ang napakarami pa nating mga kababayan na naniniwala sa‘yo at sa katarungan para iparating ‘yung mensahe: Hindi ka nag-iisa, Sen. Leila,” Robredo said.
“We have always been with you since Day 1, and we will always be with you hanggang dulo, hanggang sa sabay-sabay nating mapapagtagumpayan ito,” Robredo added.
Robredo, a fellow Bicolana, said De Lima inspires people to be braver and more resolute in fighting causes bigger than themselves, adding that the Senator’s fight is the fight of every Filipino.
“Sino ba naman ang hindi mai-inspire sa halimbawang ipinapakita mo? Every time we get to see you in the news, every time we read your statements and dispatches from Crame, parang mas tumatapang at mas nagiging buo rin ‘yung loob namin. Nakakahawa ‘yung tapang at paninindigan mo, Sen. Leila,” Robredo said.
“Ididiin ko: Ang laban mo ay laban din ng bawat isa sa amin. Laban ito ng bawat isang Pilipino na naniniwala sa karapatan, kalayaan, at dignidad ng bawat tao; ng bawat isang mamamayan na nagtitiwalang lagi nilang maaasahan ang batas na panigan kung ano ang tama, mabuti, at makatarungan,” she added.
Ultimately, Robredo said she believes that De Lima will be vindicated against all the trumped-up drug charges against her in time.
“You will feel vindicated, you will be reunited with your family and loved ones, and you will be able to serve our countrymen habang malayang nakalalakad sa mga kalsada natin, habang malayang tumitingala sa langit ng Pilipinas,” she said.
“Sa ngayon, makakaasa kang we will always include you in our prayers, at we will continue to assert the truth: Inosente si Leila de Lima. Matino at marangal na tao si Leila de Lima. Hindi makatarungan ang pagkakapiit ni Leila de Lima, at dapat na siyang palayain sa mismong sandaling ito,” she added. (30)