NextGen Day

MANILA, Philippines — With barely a month until the May 9 elections, detained opposition Senator Leila de Lima, who is seeking re-election to the Senate, is attempting to win the compassion of Filipino voters, Malacanang stated on Tuesday.

In response to de Lima’s remark that the topic of her case was raised during the recent Commission on Elections (Comelec) presidential debate, acting presidential spokesperson Martin Andanar said that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte “created a culture of fear as some presidentiables were obviously reluctant to speak up on the said issue.”

“Senator Leila de Lima’s most recent remarks were made during the campaign season. “It’s understandable that she wants the Filipino electorate’s sympathy vote,” Andanar stated in a press statement.

Three presidential candidates were invited to weigh in on whether de Lima should be released or not at the second Comelec-sponsored debate.

De Lima, a vocal critic of Duterte, has been detained since February 2017 for allegedly plotting to run a drug trafficking ring inside the New Bilibid Prison while serving as Justice Secretary.

She has vehemently disputed the allegations.

De Lima should be permitted to exercise her right to self-defense in court, according to Senator Manny Pacquiao and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.

De Lima’s detention, according to Labor Party leader Leody de Guzman, was Duterte’s “revenge” when she investigated the so-called Davao Death Squad in 2009.

De Lima is one of de Guzman’s Senate slate’s guest candidates. He has stated numerous times that he believes de Lima is a “victim” of a “malicious attack” perpetrated by the Duterte administration.

She praised de Guzman for promising to grant her justice if he were elected president in a tweet.

Andanar said he respected all presidential candidates’ views, but that the imprisoned senator had already been given the opportunity to explain herself.

“While we respect the presidentiables’ positions on Senator De Lima’s detention, we must emphasize that the senator has received due process at every stage of her criminal trial,” Andanar added.

He emphasized the significance of upholding the rule of law.

“As President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has repeatedly stated, the rule of law must always prevail,” he continued.

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