Mamamayang Liberal Partylist Rep. Leila de Lima pushed back against Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto’s remarks likening her and former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV’s absences in the Senate to the current situation of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, stressing that her non-attendance was involuntary and rooted in detention.
“With due respect, SP Sotto should not compare me or Sen. Trillanes with Sen. Bato’s situation. Our non-attendance in Senate sessions during our incumbency was involuntary. I could not be physically present in the Senate because I was in detention to face the fabricated charges filed against me then by the Duterte administration. On the other hand, Sen. Bato is running away from possible arrest by the ICC,” De Lima said.
The former senator underscored that despite her incarceration, she continued performing legislative duties, filing numerous bills, some of which became law.
“Kahit nakakulong ako noon at kahit mahirap dahil wala akong kahit anumang gadget, nagtatrabaho po ako bilang Senador sa pagpa-file ko ng maraming bills na ilan sa kanila ay naging batas,” she noted.
De Lima added that she even sought permission to join Senate sessions online during the pandemic but was denied by the majority.
“Nakiusap pa nga ako na mag-participate sa online sessions and hearings ng Senate during pandemic dahil ginagawa naman na yun, pero hindi napagbigyan ng mayorya ng Senado,” she said.
She emphasized that her legislative productivity and eagerness to participate in plenary and committee work, despite detention, demonstrated her intent to serve.
“These matters of productivity in legislative output and the constant eagerness to join plenary sessions and committee hearings despite my unjust detention are clear evidence of work and intent to work. Wag nyo naman po kaming gamiting excuse sa hindi pagdisiplina sa isang delinkwenteng senador,” De Lima asserted. (RRN)
