24-11-2023 (MANILA) – Former senator Leila de Lima, released just over a week ago, is making a bold return to the political arena, displaying newfound straightforwardness and fearlessness. In a recent interview with Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Rappler CEO Maria Ressa, De Lima candidly shared her views on the current political climate, particularly addressing former president Rodrigo Duterte’s unexpected declaration of offering himself as opposition.
Describing politics as “exciting” but not yet “turbulent,” De Lima remarked on the fractures within the Uniteam, highlighting Duterte’s self-proclamation as opposition. “It’s pathetic, to me. It’s a pathetic scene to me,” she stated.
Duterte’s statement, made on his television program on November 8, asserting the importance of an opposition in a democracy, was deemed inconsistent with his past treatment of dissenters during his presidency. Notorious for red-tagging and suppressing critics, Duterte’s administration oversaw numerous human rights violations, including killings, arrests, and raids, according to data from rights group Karapatan.
During the interview, De Lima revealed that while she’s not focused on politics, she recognizes her role in portraying herself as a victim of injustice and inspiring others to do what is right and just.
De Lima’s ordeal began when she criticized Duterte and his controversial drug war, resulting in three drug cases against her. Accused of facilitating the illegal drug trade to fund her 2016 senatorial run, she faced misogynistic attacks and personal revelations during the probe. Detained for six years, eight months, and 21 days, De Lima secured dismissals of two of her cases in 2021 and May 2022, eventually gaining her freedom.
In response to Duterte’s unexpected offer of opposition, De Lima kept her message concise: “God forgive him and God bless him.” The former senator’s return to the political scene signals a new chapter in her journey, marked by resilience and an unyielding commitment to justice.
