De Lima grateful for Sotto's visit

Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has extended her gratitude to Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III who visited her in her detention today to check on her condition and discuss how she can participate in Senate hearings.

De Lima, who chairs the Senate social justice, welfare and rural development committee, said she is pleased that Sotto expressed concern on how she can effectively fulfill her mandate as an elected Senator of the Republic.

"I am grateful to Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III's visit here today in my detention quarters at PNP Custodial Center to check on my situation," she said in a statement.

"We have talked about how I can actively participate in Senate hearings and in pushing for significant legislative measures that will improve the plight of our countrymen," she added.

It was the first time that Sotto paid De Lima a visit since she was incarcerated on trumped-up drug charges last Feb. 24, 2017; and the second time since a Senate President visited De Lima after then Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III visited the lady senator last year.

During the meeting that lasted for around 37 minutes, Sotto even gave De Lima a tinapa rice said to be prepared by his wife, Helen Gamboa.

The Senator from Bicol said she assured the Senate leadership to work with him closely to pass worthy legislative measures that will improve the plight of the Filipino people, especially the marginalized.

"Sa pag-uusap namin ni SP Sotto, lubos kong ikinatuwa ang pagsasaalang-lang nya sa mga isinusulong ko na mga panukalang batas at resolusyon sa Senado. Sa kabila ng aking pagkakabilanggo sa loob ng 490 na araw, patuloy ang aking pagtatrabaho para itaguyod ang kapakanan, lalo na ng mga mahihirap," she said.

Despite her continued unjust detention, De Lima has remained active in drafting legislative measures having authored 22 bills and 59 resolutions, co-authored 24 bills and 4 resolutions and co-sponsored one bill, during the second regular session of Congress alone.