Be strong, colleagues tell De Lima

Several senators on Friday expressed concern on the detention of Senator Leila de Lima, telling their colleague to be strong as she faces a legal battle on the drug charges filed against her.

In a statement, Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero said the arrest of De Lima should not “dampen her spirits” being the “fighter and courageous person” that she is.

“I pray that truth and justice will prevail in her case—whomsoever its face may look favorably upon—and likewise pray for her children as she faces perhaps the toughest battle in her life,” Escudero said.

“I pray that she keep the faith and not lose hope in the knowledge and belief that ‘this, too, shall pass’,” he added.

Escudero also said he will continue to work with De Lima, even while the latter is under detention, to shed light “on the crimes and shortcomings of abusive and corrupt officials in government.”

De Lima turned herself in to authorities Friday morning after staying the night at the Senate.  She was ordered arrested Thursday over drug charges in connection with her alleged link to the illegal drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison.

Senator JV Ejercito, for his part, said she was also concerned over De Lima’s situation.

“Even if we do not belong to the same party, I am also concerned for her. My message for her is the same message I told her when she was new in the Senate, just be strong,” Ejercito said in a text message to reporters.

Ejercito also said that De Lima should be safe while detained at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center.

“We must remember she was a former DOJ Secretary and as such she may have stepped on many toes before,” he noted.

Senator Sonny Angara, meanwhile, wished De Lima the “due process of law” and “safety while under detention,”

De Lima will continue to be a part of the Senate and discharge her functions as a senator while detained. —KBK, GMA News