Pimentel dismisses De Lima’s plea for occasional furlough as ‘propaganda’

Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III on Monday scored Senator Leila de Lima’s plea for occasional furlough as nothing more but “propaganda.”

“I did not know that she wrote me a letter for propaganda purposes. Hence, I do not know if she is serious with her letter’s substantive points or if they have been raised for propaganda purposes,” Pimentel said.

“I’m still thinking if a letter for propaganda deserves a reply,” he added.

Pimentel confirmed reading De Lima’s letter dated May 11 asking him to support her request for occasional furlough, to be able to vote on “crucial landmark legislations.”

De Lima is presently detained at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame over her alleged involvement in the proliferation of illegal drugs inside the national penitentiary when she was Justice secretary.

“The fact remains that I am still a Senator of the Republic. It is only a question of whether you still consider me as one, to at least extend to me all the formalities of concern appropriate for a colleague who has found herself in unfortunate and most unjust circumstances,” De Lima told Pimentel.

“I earnestly pray that Your Honor, together with our colleagues, sincerely considers this request as my former friend, election client, and above all, as a fellow Senator elected by our people,” she added.

De Lima helped Pimentel win his election protest against Senator Miguel Zubiri in the 2007 midterm elections. —ALG, GMA News