By Mario Casayuran
Opposition Senator Francis N. Pangilinan appealed today for compassion of the Senate leadership in allowing detained Senator Leila de Lima to participate in plenary sessions through teleconferencing method as approved by the Senate last Monday.
Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan (Photo from Kiko Pangilinan website / kikopangilinan.com / MANILA BULLETIN)
Pangilinan said de Lima’s participation in the plenary sessions has a bipartisan support while the country is experiencing a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis.
He said de Lima would be an added voice of knowledge and wisdom in discussions of measures.
‘’As can be attested by Senate records, she continues to file bills and resolutions and constantly issues hand-written statements on pressing issues of the day even while in detention,’’ he pointed out.
The lady lawmaker has been on detention the past three years for alleged illegal drugs-related charges.
‘’Senator Leila should be allowed to continuously perform her mandate and serve the Filipino people,’’ Pangilinan said.
De Lima, 60, garnered 14 million votes in the last senatorial elections. She was the Justice Secretary during the Noynoy Aquino presidency.
‘’What the Supreme Court earlier ruled against is the physical presence of the person in detention in sessions and committee meetings. It did not prohibit a person from participation in sessions and hearings through electronic means,’’ Pangilinan pointed out.