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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider De Lima 'hurt' by Trillanes' remarks about Robredo

De Lima 'hurt' by Trillanes' remarks about Robredo

Published Aug 6, 2025 09:47 am

At A Glance

  • Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima has admitted to be 'hurt' by recent statements made by former senator Antonio Trillanes IV regarding how Leni Robredo would have handled the issue on former president Rodrigo Duterte and the International Criminal Court (ICC)
Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV (left), Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima (Facebook)
Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV (left), Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima (Facebook)


Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima has admitted to be 'hurt' by recent statements made by former senator Antonio Trillanes IV regarding how Leni Robredo would have handled the issue on former president Rodrigo Duterte and the International Criminal Court (ICC)
"Former Senator Antonio "Sonny" Trillanes IV has recently made public remarks against former Vice President/now [Naga City] Mayor Leni Robredo—suggesting, among other things, that she would have blocked any ICC arrest of Rodrigo Duterte had she won the presidency," De Lima said in a statement on Wednesday morning, Aug. 6.
"I cannot speak on behalf of VP/Mayor Leni, but I find that claim difficult to believe. Her public record speaks to the contrary," said the former senator.
Based on her reaction, De Lima couldn't make heads or tails of Trillanes' remarks about their ally Robredo, who lost the presidential race to Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. in May 2022.
"I have respect for former Senator Trillanes, who I consider a friend and a co-warrior against Duterte's excesses and evils. Kaya masakit makita na may mga pahayag na, sa halip na magpalakas ng hanay, ay maaari pang magdulot ng pagkakahiwalay ng loob ng mga dati't kasalukuyang magkakampi sa prinsipyo't adhikain," said the ML congresswoman.
(That's why it's painful to see statements that, instead of strengthening our ranks, may end up causing division among past and present allies in principle and cause.)
"Nakakalungkot, dahil kung sino pa ang mga kasama natin sa laban, sila pa ang pinagbubuntunan ng duda at pag-aakusa. Hindi ito ang panahon para maghinala. Hindi ito ang oras para magbangayan," added De Lima.
(It's disheartening, because those who stood beside us in the struggle are now the ones receiving suspicion and accusations. This is not the time for mistrust. This is not the moment for conflict.)
Last March 11, Interpol and local police arrested ex-president Duterte in Manila on the strengh of an arrest warrant from the ICC for crimes against humanity. On the same day, the then-79-year-old was loaded into a plane and flown to the Netherlands where he remains in jail while undergoing trial.
De Lima hit Trillanes' supposedly flimsy basis for saying that Robredo wouldn't have had Duterte arrested.
"I have always believed that principled disagreements can strengthen movements—if they are rooted in truth and guided by respect. But when public accusations are based on conjecture, and when they target allies instead of adversaries, the damage falls not only on individual reputations but on the greater cause we all claim to serve."
Leila vouches for Leni
As for Robredo, De Lima attested that she was a person of strong convictions on both justice and accountability.
"As a friend and ally, I can attest to VP/Mayor Leni's unwavering commitment to justice and human rights. No one who stood with us during the darkest days of impunity and persecution can honestly accuse her of being soft on accountability, least of all on Duterte," she said.
"We do not know what has prompted these claims. But we do know their effect: division, distraction, and disinformation. Sa halip na tumutok sa mga dapat singilin sa kapalpakan at kasinungalingan, tayo pa mismo ang nagkakahiwa-hiwalay," De Lima said as she further expressed her frustration.
(Instead of focusing on holding those responsible for the failures and lies to account, we ourselves are the ones becoming divided.)
She ended her statement with an appeal to her fellow anti-Duterte personalities.
"Let us not hand ammunition to those who wish to see the democratic opposition fragmented and discredited. Let us not mistake our allies for our enemies. Let us never forget who truly brought harm to our institutions, our communities, and our fellow Filipinos.
"We in the opposition are not here to fight each other. We are here to fight for the people—for justice, truth, and dignity. That is our shared mission. Let us not lose sight of it. Tama na ang pagbibintang (Enough of these accusations)," De Lima said.
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