Work on release of De Lima, Trillanes urges colleagues
Published Jul 7, 2020 01:08 am
By Hannah Torregoza
Opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Wednesday urged his colleagues in the Senate to work on the release of Sen. Leila de Lima from detention, saying those who had had disagreements with the senator should set aside their personal grudges to free an innocent lawmaker arrested for drug charges over baseless accusations.
Senator Antonio Trillanes(JOHN JEROME GANZON/Manila Bulletin File Photo)
Trillanes also called on the chairman of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, to conduct a separate probe into the allegations of the drug lords who testified against De Lima in order to prove how the Duterte administration used convicted felons to falsely testify against the detained senator.
“I know Senator De Lima may have offended some of you, personally, during her tenure as Secretary of Justice. I had my own run-ins with her when she opposed our amnesty then,” Trillanes said in a privilege speech.
“Quite ironic because here I am now, standing by her; standing for her; fighting for her. Ganito rin ako makipaglaban para sa iba sa inyo nung nakaraan. Ganito tayo dapat sa isa’t isa, lalo na kung para sa tama. Sixmonths na siyang nakakulong, mabigat na parusa yan sa para isang taong walang pagkakasala. My colleagues, it’s time to do the right thing,” he said.
De Lima, who is currently detained at the Philippine National Police (PNP) custodial center over drug charges, has vehemently denied being involved in the illegal drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).
Among those who testified against De Lima were former Bureau of Correction Chief Rafael Ragos, inmates Herbert Colangco, JB Sebastian, Ronnie Dayan and Kerwin Espinosa, son of the slain Albuera, Leyte Mayor Ronaldo Espinosa, Sr.
“Gaya nating lahat, hindi perpekto si Sen. De Lima pero alam natin, deep in our hearts, na hindi siya involved sa illegal drugs at lalo nang hindi siya Drug Queen. Hindi po siya criminal para tratuhin na parang isang criminal,” Trillanes said.
Unlike him and the Magdalo soldiers who went to jail after launching an unsuccessful coup against the Arroyo administration, Trillanes said life inside a detention cell is harsher for a woman and a mother.
“Nung kami ng mga kasamahan kong sundalo ay nakulong sa pag-aklas sa gobyerno, despite our deep belief about the righteousness of our cause, we never pretended that we didn’t break the law. We just willingly faced the consequences of our actions,” Trillanes said.
“Pero si Senator De Lima, walang ginawang kahit ano man. Pinaratangan lang siya. There was no overt action done at all to merit her incarceration,” he pointed out.
If the Senate was able to express outrage over the downgrading of the murder charges against Supt. Marvin Marcos’ and the other cops involved in the Espinosa slay case, the senators should likewise do the same with De Lima.
“By any established standard, that is injustice,” he said.
“There is no doubt about it, sooner rather than later, she will be freed. And this time with a purified soul, renewed vigor, more wisdom, a stronger spirit and a much clearer sense of purpose to serve our country and people,” he said.
“When that day comes, I hope all of us here in this august chamber would be warmheartedly remembered by Sen. Leila de Lima as among those who fought for her freedom,” Trillanes stressed.