By Jun Nucum
Resounding cheers by Filipino human rights groups in the US greeted the release of Sen. Leila de Lima from jail on bail, calling it a triumph of justice over political persecution.
In a statement by the Filipino American Human Rights Alliance (FAHRA)-USA by its San Francisco Chapter President Ago Pedalizo, said it was “politically persecuted by the Duterte for her unyielding conviction to resist extrajudicial killings and uphold rule of law. She suffered terribly but persevered and won ultimately.”
“This is a great victory of justice over injustice in the Philippines. Once in a while, justice persists despite the control of the elements of injustices.” Filipino-Americans lobbied for the enactment of the Magnitsky Act in the US Congress in light of the atrocities in the past regime, and in part, in support of the former Senator.
FAHRA also cited the much-needed support even from outside the Philippines particularly American Senators Dick Durbin and Ed Markey who issued a statement welcoming “this long overdue decision and call on any remaining bogus charges to be dropped once and for all. Her eloquent words upon release about defending democracy and truth and not succumbing to hate amid repression are an inspiration to all of us. We look forward to hosting her soon for a visit to the United States Senate.”
FAHRA vowed to continue to fight for justice to be served to those who made her suffer and for her vindication after almost seven years of illegal detention. They also admired de Lima’s unwavering commitment to truth and justice, even in the face of grave adversity.
The continued fight for justice is not lost on lawyer Rodel Rodis as he claimed that it is totally shameful it lasted this long.
“The people who put her there should be the one in jail because they are responsible for the mass murder of thousands of young Filipinos, primarily boys falsely accused of being drug pushers when they are maybe just ordinary users.” Rodis firmly believes “they should not have been tortured and murdered with impunity.”
Akbayan North America through its National coordinator and member of the National Council of the Akbayan Party in the Philippines Edwin Batongbacal called the De Lima release as a victorious moment in the fight for justice and echoed the continued call for justice saying, “the fight is not yet over.”
“Former president Rodrigo Duterte must be brought to justice for vindictively fabricating the charges against De Lima in malicious retaliation for her courageous opposition to the thousands of unjust state-sponsored extrajudicial killings perpetrated on his instigation during his presidency. Duterte and his minions must be held accountable and face the consequences of their grave crimes against humanity.”
Former senator Leila de Lima has been released from the custodial facility of the Philippine National Police’s headquarters in Camp Crame to comply with Muntinlupa Court 26 decision granting her petition for bail.
“After six years, eight months, and 24 days, sweet, sweet freedom. Thank you, Lord,” said De Lima who was arrested in 2017 for drug allegations and jailed although she vehemently maintained her innocence and repeatedly denied the three drug charges leveled against her.
De Lima has already been cleared from two out of the three cases filed against her after she was first acquitted in February 2021 and after one of the three cases filed against her was junked by the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 205.
The Muntinlupa RTC Branch 204 likewise cleared both De Lima and former aide Ronnie Dayan last May 12 on charges related to the illegal drug trade.
“He knows what he did to me; God forgive him,” was De Lima’s message to former president Rodrigo Duterte after her release.
Lawyer Boni Tacordon announced that Muntinlupa City Regional Trial through presiding Judge Gener Gito has granted detained former senator Leila de Lima’s bail plea for her remaining drug case after “motions for reconsideration of the concerned accused are granted.”
De Lima was allowed to post bail in the amount of PHP300,000, the same bail amount each for co-accused former Bureau of Corrections chief Franklin Jesus Bucayu, De Lima’s former aide Ronnie Dayan, De Lima’s former security aide Joenel Sanchez and Jad Dera.
National coordinator and member of the National Council of the Akbayan Party in the Philippines Edwin Batongbacal
Rodel Rodis
