Opposition Senator Leila de Lima on Wednesday rejected allegations she is disqualifed from running for reelection because she is detained.
De Lima, who is seeking reelection in the upcoming May 2022 elections, maintained that she has all the qualifications for senator as set forth under the 1987 Constitution.
The senator said those information circulating on social media are false and are mere fake news.
“Nakarating po sa akin na may ipinapakalat na naman na fake news ang mga bayarang trolls na ako daw ay hindi kwalipikado na tumakbo sa Halalan 2022 dahil nakakulong ako. Huwag po kayong maniwala (I was told there is Information propagated by paid trolls in social media that I am not qualified to run for the upcoming elections because I am detained. Those are fake news, don’t believe them), ” De Lima said in her recent statement.
“I have all the qualifications for Senator as set forth in the 1987 Constitution (Sec. 3, Art. VI) and none of the disqualifications provided under the law (Sec. 12 & Sec. 68, Omnibus Election Code),” she stated.
De Lima, then, urged voters to be smart and vigilant against the recent proliferation of fake news on social media, saying it is obviously part of the disinformation campaign against her.
Most importantly, the lawmaker, a vocal critic of the Duterte administration, said she is allowed to seek reelection because “I have not been convicted, let alone by final judgment, of any criminal offense.”
“Labanan ang mga kasinungalingan, lalo na ngayong (Let’s fight the lies, especially during this) election period. Let’s be very discerning and vigilant,” she appealed.