De Lima feels ‘slut-shamed’ during House hearing

Sen. Leila de Lima on Saturday said the House of Representatives still "slut-shamed" her by allowing details of her personal life to be discussed during a hearing on the alleged drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison.

De Lima said that letting one of her former close-in security aides speak about her alleged romantic relationships was still an attack against her.

"Hindi nga nila ipinalabas yung sex video, na-pressure siguro sila sa dami ng umalma pero alam n'yo naman ang nangyari during the hearing," De Lima said, referring to Thursday's hearing.

"Hinayaan lang nila, na hinayaan ang dating PSG security ko na si Joenel Sanchez na nagsiwalat ng mga ganung detalye... So ganun na rin ang nangyari, slut-shaming na rin ho yun.," she added.

During the House justice committee’s probe, Sanchez divulged details about the rumored romantic relationship between De Lima and her erstwhile driver, Ronnie Dayan, and testified about the existence of their alleged sex video.

"Ganoon na rin 'yun. Slut-shaming pa rin yun," De Lima said.

The senator said that the attacks against her are a form of suppression, and a way to discredit her.

"Nakikita natin na merong suppression of dissent... merong muzzling, stifling of dissent. Eto nga hong ginagawa sa akin ay ginagawa nila ito para durugin ako, in the hope na kapag nadurog ako, hihinto ako," she said.

De Lima initiated the Senate's investigation into the alleged extrajudicial killings of drugs suspects.

Strength regained

While she admitted that she has been pushed to an "emotional upheaval" by recent events, De Lima said she regained strength when she realized she still had supporters.

De Lima on Saturday attended the "Misa Para sa Katarungan at Kapayapaan" held for her at the De La Salle University in Greenhills, San Juan City.

Organizers included the Black and White Movement, Democratic Warriors, various women's groups, and several civil society groups.

De Lima said that she has been speaking in various forums to raise awareness on the current predicament of the country's democracy, human rights and women's rights.

"Since marami pong tahimik lang, hindi naman pwede na ganun na lang, manahimik lang tayo," she said. —ALG, GMA News