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De Lima says she's moved, humbled by Recto's call for her freedom

Philippines | National

De Lima says she's moved, humbled by Recto's call for her freedom

By Hannah L. Torregoza

Detained Senator Leila de Lima on Friday said she is grateful to her colleague, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, for asking the incoming Marcos administration to free her.

De Lima, a vocal critic of the Duterte administration, said she is humbled by Recto’s kind remarks during his farewell speech as an outgoing senator of the 18th Congress last June 1.

“My profound gratitude for your farewell speech yesterday in which you honor me and call for my freedom,” de Lima said in a handwritten letter to Recto.

“I am moved and humbled by the gesture and greatly pleased with the importance and forcefulness of the words therein,” she added.

In his privilege speech during the last session day of the 18th Congress on Wednesday, Recto urged the President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. to free de Lima, who has been languishing in jail since 2017 due to trumped-up and politically-motivated drug charges.

“Another feisty lady worthy of our respect is Leila de Lima, a prisoner of conscience, punished for her courage, but whose spirit no prison walls could contain. Trolls put her behind bars. The truth shall set her free,” Recto said of the senator.

“Mr. President-elect, free Leila,” Recto added.

De Lima said she couldn’t agree more with Recto as she is now focusing on the dismissal of bogus drug cases against her.

“You are right, Sen. Ralph. No prison walls could contain me; so is justice and my determination to see my full vindication,” De Lima said.

Related Tags

Marcos administration Leila de Lima ralph recto illegal drugs DUTERTE

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