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By Prince Golez, Manila Reporter
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MANILA – Sen. Leila de Lima has been named one of the leading global thinkers for 2016.
Washington-based Foreign Policy (FP) magazine cited de Lima’s “steadfast” efforts in investigating the rising number of extrajudicial killings (EJKs).
The former Commission on Human Rights chief and former secretary of Justice was also honoured under the “Challengers” category “for standing up to an extremist leader.”
De Lima has found herself on the stinging end of President Rodrigo Duterte’s attacks following her constant criticism against the spate of EJKs in the country related to the government’s war on drugs.
“Since taking office in June, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has waged a brutal war on drugs. Thousands of alleged traffickers, dealers, and users have been executed by state forces or pro-government vigilantes,” the citation said.
It also said that her investigation into the extrajudicial killings, as then chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, has “landed her firmly in Duterte’s crosshairs.”
The magazine also mentioned the allegations against de Lima as regards her involvement in the illegal drugs trade and her ouster last September as chief of the committee investigating the EJKs.
“That didn’t silence her, though. She called on the United Nations to examine the violence, arguing that Manila isn’t equipped ‘to serve complete justice to the victims,” FP noted.
“After the criminal accusations, de Lima said, ‘I am willing to resign; I am willing to be shot in front of the president… I am confident to prove him wrong. I will stand by my innocence, any time now and forever’,” it said.
Other global thinkers awardees were former United States State Department Secretary Hillary Clinton, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon among others./PN
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