Reelectionist Senator Leila de Lima said that the spread of purportedly malicious video of presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo's daughter, Jessica Marie nicknamed Aika, is a "pathetic attempt" of her political opponents as she continues to hold successful campaign rallies, even in the bailiwick of her rivals.
In a statement on Tuesday night, de Lima said she joins "all decent Filipinos in condemning the latest attempt to damage VP Leni's campaign through the spread of vile fake news about members of her family."
She said such kind of activity is "so 2016" and is already "late to break the wave of support" for Robredo in her presidential bid.
The reelectionist lawaker also said spreading malicious things about Aika is "toxic," "utterly vile," and "shameless."
"Demonizing women has been a go-to, and desperate, political strategy in the past 6 years," de Lima said.
"Galawang sindikato talaga. Matitigil lang yan kapag natanggalan na ng sungay ang mga nagtatangkang bumalik sa kapangyarihan, at yung mga nagtatangkang manatili (It's what the syndicates do. It will only stop once we remove the horns of those who want to return to and maintain their power)," she added.
In 2016, de Lima also fell victim to an accusation of having a sex video with his security aide. This came at the height of the hearing of her illegal drug-related charges.