Vice President Leni Robredo promised detained opposition Senator Leila de Lima that she and the senator’s supporters “will continue to assert the truth” about her innocence, dignity, and honor.
(Photo by Jansen Romero / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
In a video message uploaded on De Lima’s official Facebook page on February 24, the fourth year since the senator was detained on alleged involvement in the drug trade, Robredo told her to “stay strong and take heart dahil hindi ka nag-iisa (you are not alone).”
“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 (You can take refuge that we will always include you in our prayers, and we will continue to assert the truth: Leila de Lima is innocent. Leila de Lima is an honorable person. Leila de Lima’s detention is unjust, and she must be freed right this moment),” she said.
The vice president stressed that they will continue fighting the good fight with De Lima and that they will be with her until the senator will finally emerge victorious amid allegations that she conspired to trade illegal drugs inside the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa.
“You will feel vindicated. you will be reunited with your family and loved ones and you will be able to serve our countrymen,” Robredo said.
Robredo and De Lima are partymates in the opposition Liberal Party. Both of them are also Bicolanos.
Robredo urged the detained senator not to lose hope because many look up to her for inspiration, many are starting to fight against the lies and want to stand for the truth.
“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 (we become braver. Your courage and stance are contagious). You inspire so many of us to be braver and more resolute in fighting for causes bigger than ourselves.”
De Lima’s fight for justice is not just her own, the vice president said, adding that it is a fight for all Filipinos who believe in the rule of law.
In her native Bicolano, Robredo asked de Lima to take care of herself because the Filipinos owe her a lot for the inspiration she gives them.
She also hoped that she can be allowed to visit the senator, who’s currently at the custodial center of the Philippine National Police in Camp Crame, Quezon City, soon. De Lima was barely allowed to go out of the compound since the lockdown restrictions were announced in March last year.