Precious freedom! Free at last!
These were the words first said by former senator Leila de Lima as she walked out of the Custodial Center of the Philippine National Police (PNP) at Camp Crame on Monday night, Nov. 13.
Police have started processing the release of de Lima after receiving the order of the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court Branch 206 on Monday morning.
photo: Noel Pabalate
“Precious freedom! Free at last!,” said de Lima when reporters asked her for any statement while walking out of the main gate of the Custodial Center.
“Pinaka-hihintay ko sa buhay ko for more than six years. Ito na, dumating na po. Maraming salamat (This is what I have been waiting for more than six years. Here it is, it finally came. Thank you),” she added.
De Lima was detained in 2017 after drug charges were filed against her for allegedly conniving with inmates of the New Bilibid Prisons for illegal drugs-related activities.
She was later cleared in two of the three drug charges leveled against her after several key witnesses started recanting their statements.
Those who recanted their statements said they were coerced to pin down de Lima for illegal drugs trade.
The Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court Branch 206 handles the only remaining case and on Monday morning, the court allowed her to post bail.
De Lima is expected to appear in a press conference in Quezon City on Monday evening.