De Lima on reelection bid: My unjust detention cannot stop me from fighting, serving

Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima asserted that her continued unjust detention has never, and will never, break her spirit and her resolve to fight for her freedom and vindication and for the freedom of Filipino people from injustice and oppression.

In her video message played during the campaign kick-off led by Leni Robredo-Kiko Pangilinan tandem in Bicol Region yesterday (Feb. 8), De Lima said her continued unjust detention cannot silence her, much less prevent her from seeking reelection.

"May mga nagtatanong kung sa kabila ng lahat ng aking pinagdaanan, ay may lakas pa akong muling tumakbo. Ang aking walang pag-aalinlangang sagot: Opo, hindi ako natinag ng pagkakulong, at lalo pa ngang naging matatag at masigasig sa paglaban. Ipinakulong man nila ako, hindi nila kailanman nakulong ang aking paninindigan at hinding hindi nila kailanman maikukulong ang katotohanan na ako ay inosente," she said.

De Lima, who hails from Iriga City, Camarines Sur further shared that her battle since 2017, when she was unjustly detained, has not ended, especially now that many Filipinos are struggling to free themselves from the government that ruined the entire nation.

"Hindi sa pagkakulong matatapos ang aking kuwento. Limitahan man nila ang aking kilos, hindi man nila ako payagang makalahok sa mga sesyon sa Senado, hindi ako mapapagod, di ko iindahin kung magkakalyo man ako kakasulat-kamay sa aking mga saloobin at pahayag laban sa mga baluktot na polisiya ng gobyerno.

"Patuloy man nila akong siraan at gawan ng fake news, tuloy ang aking laban. Hindi lamang para sa aking paglaya, kundi para sa paglaya ng ating bansa," she said.

"Paglaya mula sa karahasan at mga patayan. Paglaya mula sa katiwalian na lalong nagpapahirap sa taumbayan. Paglaya mula sa pang-aagaw sa ating teritoryo dahil sa pagsipsip sa dayuhan ng mismong nasa Malacañang. Paglaya mula sa inhustisya at kawalan ng pagpapahalaga sa buhay at karapatang pantao," she added.

Atty. Dino de Leon, De Lima's spokesperson and legal counsel, joined the grand proclamation rally at Plaza Quezon in Naga led by presidential aspirant and Vice President Leni Robredo and vice presidential aspirant and Sen. Kiko Pangilinan. They were also joined by other senatoriables.

Since De Lima's current situation prevented her from physically joining the event, De Leon brought with him De Lima's standee which showed the Senator flashing her signature "D5" hand sign.

The lady Senator from Bicol maintained that she is seeking reelection to further advance her advocacies.

"Hangad ko na makapag-akda at makapagpasa pa ng maraming mga batas na talagang nakatutulong sa mahihirap nating kababayan, tulad ng 4Ps Law, Magna Carta of the Poor Act, at National Commission of Senior Citizens Act. Lumalaban tayo para sa isang bagong liderato na marangal at may paninindigan," she said.

Despite the political persecution she has been subjected to under the hands of Duterte and his lackeys, De Lima said she does not regret fighting for what she believes in, and for what is right and just.

"Nagsisi ba ako? Hindi. Dapat bang nanahimik na lang ako? Hindi. Isinuko ko na lang ba dapat ang aking prinsipyo para napalaya agad ako? Lalong hindi! Wala po akong pinagsisisihan. Gaya ng sinabi ko noon: Karangalan ko na makulong dahil sa aking mga ipinaglalaban," she said.