De Lima thanks Tito Sotto for visit, checking on her

Detained Senator Leila de Lima on Thursday thanked Senate President Vicente Sotto III for checking on her situation inside the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame.

“I am grateful to Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III’s visit here today in my detention quarters at PNP Custodial Center to check on my situation,” De Lima said in a handwritten note.

She said they talked about how she can actively participate in Senate hearings and in pushing for legislative measures that will improve the plight of the Filipino people.

“I am looking forward and assured the Senate leadership to work with them closely in fulfilling my duties as the chair of the Senate committee on social justice, welfare, and rural development as well as my mandate to the Filipino people,” said De Lima.

She added she was happy with Sotto's concern with the bills and resolutions she is pushing.

“Sa pag-uusap namin ni SP Sotto, lubos kong ikinatuwa ang pagsasaalang-lang nya sa mga isinusulong ko na mga panukalang batas at resolusyon sa Senado. Sa kabila ng aking pagkakabilanggo sa loob ng 490 na araw, patuloy ang aking pagtatrabaho para itaguyod ang kapakanan, lalo na ng mga mahihirap,” she said.

Sotto, in a message to reporters, said De Lima did not ask for any special favor during his visit and they just discussed the measures pending in her committee and the concerns on hearing and reporting out of bills and procedures.

“She was not asking for any special favors. She said she was being treated fairly and is content in receiving the same treatment as other detainees,” he said.

He added that the visit was his personal initiative and it was not the first time that he checked on detained colleague.

“It’s my personal initiative. I wanted to know how a fellow senator was doing. I also visited then Col. (Greg) Honasan, Lt Sr Grade (Antonio) Trillanes, Sen. (Juan Ponce) Enrile, (Jinggoy) Estrada, and (Bong) Revilla,” he said. —NB, GMA News