De Lima thanks supporters for support on her filing of candidacy

Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima thanked friends and individuals from different sectors for coming together to express their support for the filing of her Certificate of Candidacy (CoC) last Oct. 8.

"I would like to thank those who continuously show their unwavering support, compassion and faith in me; those who have expressed their love and well wishes online; those who, despite the fake news and lies that the Duterte regime spreads, still remain by my side—knowing that I am innocent of the trumped-up charges against me. Sa inyo pong lahat, maraming, maraming salamat sa inyong dasal, tiwala at suporta. Laban lang!"

De Lima, who remains detained over bogus drug charges, said she is "beyond grateful" not only for their steadfast support but also for their commitment to campaign for her despite all the challenges.

"I may not have personally filed my CoC and saw friends and supporters, but knowing that they went out there and declared their support for me is enough reminder that I am blessed to have people fighting alongside me to help secure a renewed mandate from the Filipino people. I am beyond grateful for their support," she said.

Atty. Dino de Leon, De Lima's authorized representative, legal counsel and Spokesperson, filed the Senator's COC on her behalf. He was joined by Atty. Fhillip D. Sawali, De Lima's Chief of Staff and Campaign Coordinator and Atty. Filibon Tacardon, also one of De Lima's legal counsels.

"I am also grateful that I have such brave and competent co-warriors in the three lawyers who represented me in filing my CoC - Attorneys Fhillip, Boni and Dino - whom I have the honor to work and share the burdens of my mandate with," she said.

Notably, representatives from the sectors of the PWDs, riders, urban poor, LGBTQIA+ and 4Ps beneficiaries, along with De Lima's spiritual advisor Fr. Flavie Villanueva and #EveryWoman's Prof. Socorro Reyes, received the Senator's CoC from her Head Executive Assistant Prince Hermida in front of Camp Crame, Quezon City, where the Senator is currently detained.

Fr. Villanueva maintained that the Filipino should vote for De Lima in the 2022 national elections so she could strengthen her fight against injustice, including killings. "Itigil ang patayan. Itigil ang pagpatay sa katarungan. Itigil ang paniniil sa katotohanan. Palayain si Sen. Leila. Ihalal natin siya sa Senado upang patuloy na maipagtanggol ang katarungan, ang katotohanan," he said.

Reyes, for her part, said: "Kami ay nagsama-sama para patuloy na suportahan si Sen. Leila de Lima laban sa pambabastos, laban sa paglabag sa kanyang karapatan. Kailangan palayain na siya."

"Kailangan natin siyang ihalal muli at kailangang palayain. Ang kanyang paglaya ay hindi lamang paglaya ng isang tao kundi paglaya ng lipunan," she added.

De Lima confirmed that she would seek reelection in the 2022 national elections in an indictment letter addressed to Mr. Duterte last July 21.