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[av_heading heading=’ De Lima’s birthday wish: Vindication ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY PRINCE GOLEZ
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MANILA – Vindication from the accusations against her, including her alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade. That is the birthday wish of detained senator Leila de Lima, who turned 58 yesterday.
De Lima was arrested and detained at the Custodial Center of the Philippine National Police in Camp Crame, Quezon City on Feb. 24.
“Paglaya hindi lamang mula sa di-makatarungang pagpapakulong sa akin ng rehimeng Duterte, kundi pati na rin ang paglaya mula sa mga kasinungalingan at paninira sa aking pagkababae at pagkatao,” she said in handwritten note.
De Lima said she will continue fighting to clear her name and her family’s reputation.
“Para ito sa aking pamilya – sa aking ama at ina, na pinalaki kaming magkakapatid nang marangal,” she said. “Para ito sa aking mga anak at mga apo, at sa kanilang magiging pamilya.”
Accused of having a hand in the proliferation of prohibited drugs at the national penitentiary, de Lima maintained her innocence.
“Malinis ang aking konsensya. Hindi ko po pinangarap na maging abogado at maging lingkod-bayan para sirain lang ang aming pangalan,” she said.
In separate videos, ally senators Franklin Drilon, Paolo Benigno Aquino, Risa Hontiveros, and Francis Pangilinan, and former senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas II shared heartwarming birthday messages for de Lima.
Drilon described de Lima as a “dependable friend.”
“I am happy to greet you because I have a friend, you, who stands by her principles no matter what the cause is in order that you can help preserve democracy in our country,” said Drilon. “Keep up the good fight, Leila. Be assured that we will always be there behind you.”
Aquino urged de Lima to keep strong while in detention, while Hontiveros said de Lima’s voice and courage were an inspiration to many Filipinos.
“Truly, nothing can bring a good woman down,” said Hontiveros. “This administration can lock up the opposition, they can even deliver sexist propaganda online and off, but Leila I’m confident that time and history will judge today in truth and justice’s favor.”
Pangilinan and Roxas said they would continue to pray for de Lima’s freedom and support her advocacies.
De Lima thanked her family and those who continue to trust and support her.
“Patuloy ko pong dalangin ang ating tagumpay: Ang mangibabaw ang katotohanan, ang makamtan ang katarungan ng mga pamilyang pinagkaitan ng hustisya, at ang pananaig ng demokrasya,” she said./PN
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