Some senators on Monday, November 13 welcomed the decision of a Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) to finally grant former senator Leila de Lima’s petition to be allowed to post bail. 

Senator Risa Hontiveros, a fellow opposition lawmaker, said she is thankful that De Lima was able to survive her ordeal that lasted six years and nine months after the Duterte administration accused her of involvement in the alleged illegal drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP). 

“We are thankful that she survived such a long ordeal of injustice. After surviving a stroke, surviving a hostage-taking is tears of joy and fighting spirit, and after these tears, we anticipate the days we will pursue for justice,” Hontiveros said in Filipino during an interview at the Senate.

The lawmaker further said, she believes De Lima, a staunch critic of the previous Duterte administration, was targeted by then president Rodrigo Duterte to be used as an “exhibit” of his propensity to do such injustice and impunity to any of his critics. 

At the same time, Hontiveros expressed her gratitude for the Marcos administration for allowing justice system to flourish.

“The least that any administration can do, because it’s been so long that the government weaponized the justice system to do unjustifiable acts. The least any new administration can do and should do is either to pave the way or not hinder any case,” she pointed out. 

Sen. Grace Poe also welcomed the Muntinlupa court’s ruling allowing the former lawmaker to post bail as being incarcerated for nearly seven years “is long and arduous.”

“Rich or poor, nobody deserves to stay for a long time in detention due to slow legal processes,” Poe said.