SEN. LEILA M. DE LIMA'S STATEMENT ON HER UPCOMING TRIP ABROAD

After complying with the travel documents required for a public official, I am now preparing to leave on official visits -- first to receive an award in the US and secondly, to speak at the Annual Conference on Cultural Diplomacy in Berlin, Germany.

Both visits are very important to me because as a senator, I will have a chance to speak before influential world leaders and global thinkers on raising awareness and support for human rights, an advocacy I am passionate about.

This is a great opportunity to meet leaders from various fields from around the world and learn from their respective government's initiatives and challenges about cultural diplomacy.

There is, however, nothing to worry about as I will surely return, along with my staff who will be with me during these foreign visits. I hope my brief absence would provide a welcome relief and respite to my detractors and critics. I will keep them in mind though.