De Lima granted one-day medical furlough

Senator Leila De Lima was granted a one-day medical furlough, her legal counsel Atty. Rolly Peoro said Tuesday.

Peoro shared the development in an interview with the media after attending, along with De Lima herself, the hearing for one of the senator's drug-related cases in the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court.

"Nag-apply kami ng medical furlough at kami’y nagpapasalamat sa ating mga korte na pinayagan kami. Pinaayos po namin yung mga detalye," he said.

"Matagal na ito na medical furlough ni Senator De Lima, in 2018, 2019 pa. Pero ngayon, kailangan na talagang gawin. Kailangan nang gawin. Na-delay lang ng na-delay dahil sa pandemic," he added.

Peoro stressed the urgency of the medical check-ups for De Lima, considering her age.

"Ang ni-request namin sana hanggang matapos yung mga examination at ang bigay sa amin ay 24 hours. So kailangan ho namin tapusin yung mga examinations na yun in 24 hours," he added.

De Lima has been in detention since February 2017 due to drug-related charges.

The charges stemmed from allegations that De Lima allowed the illegal drug trade to proliferate inside the New Bilibid Prison during her term as Justice Secretary.

She will be marking her fourth year in detention on February 24. — DVM, GMA News