De Lima tags as ‘fake news’ posts on disqualification from reelection bid

Detained Senator Leila de Lima said reports claiming she has been disqualified to run for reelection in Eleksyon 2022 are "fake news."

“Nakarating po sa akin na may ipinapakalat na naman na fake news ang mga bayarang trolls na ako daw ay hindi kwalipikado na tumakbo sa Halalan 2022 dahil nakakulong ako. Huwag po kayong maniwala,” she said in a statement.

“I have all the qualifications for Senator as set forth in the 1987 Constitution (Sec. 3, Art. VI) and none of the disqualifications provided under the law (Sec. 12 & Sec. 68, Omnibus Election Code),” she added.

De Lima said she was allowed to seek reelection as she "has not been convicted, let alone by final judgment, of any criminal offense.”

Meanwhile, the senator also urged the public to remain vigilant against the proliferation of fake news during the election period.

“Labanan ang mga kasinungalingan, lalo na ngayong election period. Let’s be very discerning and vigilant,” De Lima said.

“Ngayong papalapit na ang eleksyon, asahan na ang paninira at pagpapakalat ng maling impormasyon ng mga gustong manatili sa poder at ng kanilang mga kasabwat para patuloy na pagtakpan ang kanilang kalokohan at nang hindi sila mapanagot sa hinaharap,” she added.

(Now that the election is approaching, expect the spread of false information by those who want to stay in power and their accomplices, so they can escape liability for their misdeeds.)

Through her official representative and spokesman lawyer Dino de Leon, De Lima filed her certificate of candidacy for senator last October 8.

De Lima, a former Justice secretary, has been detained since February 2017 at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame due to drug-related charges.

A drug case against de Lima was junked by a Muntinlupa City court in February of this year. She has repeatedly denied involvement in the illegal drug trade.—LDF, GMA News