Former senator Leila de Lima said her homecoming to Iriga City will be the best Christmas gift for her 91-year-old ailing mother who she has not seen for more than four years. 

De Lima flew to Iriga City in Camarines Sur on Nov. 15 to be with her mom, Norma Magistrado de Lima, who is now bedridden. 

Former senator Leila de Lima with her mom, Norma Magistrado de Lima, in Iriga City (Photos from office of Atty. Leila de Lima) 

De Lima was released from detention at Camp Crame on Nov. 13, or after six years and eight months, when Presiding Judge Gener Gito of the Muntinlupa RTC Branch 206 granted her bail in the last remaining drug case she is facing. 

She had been in detention at Camp Crame since Feb. 24, 2017 due to a warrant of arrest issued by a Muntinlupa court in relation to one of the three drug cases filed against her by the Department of Justice (DOJ) under the Duterte administration. 

The former senator and justice secretary was released from Camp Crame after she posted bail amounting to 300,000. 

In a conference after her release, she said during her detention, she missed family milestones and was unable to visit her mother. 

“Kasi may mga milestones sa family na mga namiss ko. Like, for example, when my son Vincent passed the Bar Exams and I was not allowed to attend his graduation. Masakit para sa akin iyan (Because there are milestones in the family that I missed. It was painful for me),” said De Lima. 

About her mother, she said, “And it’s always painful to me that I’m not with my mom, my 91-year-old ailing mom, who is now bedridden. Isa iyan sa mga una kong gagawin. Uuwi agad ako sa Bicol para makapilling ko ang aking ina (It will be one of the firsts that I will do. I will go home to Bicol to be with my mom). We haven’t seen each other for more than four years already. Itong homecoming na ito, this will give her the best Christmas gift.” 

“I personally want to see her already. Siya excited na rin siguro. Kanina nung nasa court ako, pinakausap sa akin nung brother ko sa cell phone niya. And she is waiting for me. Masakit sa akin iyon na mawalay ka sa pamilya (She is also excited. Earlier in court, my brother let me talk to her on his cell phone. It is painful for me to be away from family),” said De Lima. 

In February 2022, two Muntinlupa courts granted De Lima’s request to have an online video conference call with her mother, who was confined in a Naga City hospital due to Covid-19 and severe pneumonia. 

The video call held on Feb. 3 lasted for less than an hour. 

“I wasn’t really able to talk to mommy because she was asleep during the duration of the call. There were occasional times when she opened her eyes for a few seconds, then ‘pikit’ ulit. But at least I was able to see her, and there was one or two instances that she recognized me,” the senator said then. 

She added, “Of course, I would have wanted to be there with her taking care of her, but that’s not possible under the current situation. The moment may have been brief, but I am grateful to the Court for their prompt action in allowing me to see my mom and check on her condition, albeit through virtual means.”