De Lima’s reelection bid gets boost from Robredo, various groups

Supporters of detained Senator Leila de Lima from different sectors led by Vice President Leni Robredo expressed their solidarity for her by asserting their support for her reelection bid for the 2022 national elections and renewing calls for her release.

De Lima’s supporters posted their messages of support online, while some flocked in front of the Philippine National Police Custodial Center at Camp Crame in Quezon City where the senator is detained.

Vice President and presidential aspirant Leni Robredo personally visited the senator on November 18.

“I’m here in support of Senator Leila [and] ang feeling ko kailangan nandito kami to support and welcome si VP na bibisita kay Senator Leila, kasi napakagandang time yun na ang isang babaeng lumalaban para sa kanyang bansa ay sinusuportahan ng isang babaeng nakakulong na lumaban din sa maling pag-gogobyerno ng bansang ito,” said Mae Lagunday, a member of People Power Volunteers for Reform (PPVR), in an interview.

Lagunday added: “We support that very much. Actually, we look forward to that na talagang itutuloy ang laban. Kailangan din naming ipakalat na talagang mali at basura yung mga kasong ibinibigay sa kanya.”

Robredo paid a visit to De Lima to check on her condition, which De Lima described as “a most beautiful and encouraging moment.”

“It further fires up my resolve to fight against all odds and seek a fresh mandate as a Senator, my first term having been unjustly diminished by the vicious machinations of this vindictive President,” said De Lima.

On the same day of Robredo’s visit, supporters of the senator, including Lagunday, gathered in front of Gate 1 of the PNP Custodial Center, Camp Crame and staged a flash mob by forming a straight line while holding blue umbrellas with pink letter each, forming the phrase “FREE LEILA NOW.”

Some notable personalities and group also posted on Twitter to express their support for De Lima.

Former Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that De Lima “is at the top of my list of senatorial candidates,” adding that “she may have been maligned but in the end, the truth will out and she will be vindicated and will prevail. #LabanLeila!”

Former Presidential Communications Undersecretary Manolo Quezon III and the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) posted a photo showing the supporters’ formation in front of Camp Crame.

Quezon captioned his post “#FreeLeilaNow” while the APHR reminded the public that “Senator De Lima, one of the most vocal critics of President Duterte’s anti-drugs policy, has been arbitrarily detained for almost five years.”

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Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)