Detained Senator Leila De Lima said her Christmas wish was to have freedom from detention and to the end of killings in the Philippines.
“I constantly wish for my freedom. This year, after finding the evidence weak and the testimonies against me without credibility as they are mainly perjured, I applied for bail in each of the three cases I’m facing since I was unjustly detained on 24 February 2017,” De Lima, currently detained in Camp Crame, said in a statement.
“It is my fervent prayer for my ailing mother to still be with us when I finally celebrate my vindication,” she added.
De Lima would be spending her fourth Christmas with a few members of her family at the PNP Custodial Center. She was arrested in 2017 over allegations of being a drug protector in the New Bilibid Prison while she was serving as Justice Secretary.
The senator allegedly conspired with Jose Adrian Dera to conduct illegal drug trade with Dera in March 2016. The case alleged De Lima of asking inmate and drug personality Peter Co to give P3 million and four vehicles that she would use for her senatorial campaign during the May 2016 election.
“Palagi ko ring ipinagdarasal na matigil na ang mga karahasan at pagpatay. Sa pag-usad ng ICC (International Criminal Court) investigation sa ating bansa, sana ay makamit na natin ang hustisya at pananagutan mula sa mapaniil na rehimen ni Duterte,” De Lima added.
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De Lima wishes freedom, end of killings in PH for Christmas
The senator also wished for Filipinos’ access to COVID-19 vaccines.
Despite the challenges Filipinos faced this 2020, De Lima said there is a lot to be grateful for.
“Let’s give it to our COVID-19 frontliners, typhoon and disaster responders, and the individuals and groups who reach out to those who need help the most during times of disaster out of generosity and a pure desire to help. Their sacrifices made our sufferings bearable and humane,” De Lima said.
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