De Lima asks court to allow her to see COVID-positive mom via video call

Detained Senator Leila de Lima on Thursday asked a Muntinlupa Court's permission to see her COVID-positive mother through online video conference call.

De Lima has filed an extremely urgent motion for online video conference call to Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 256, where one of her drug cases is pending.

According to De Lima's motion, the vital signs of her 89-year-old mother, including her pulse rate and oxygen saturation levels, were observed to be in decline.

The senator’s mother was then transferred to NICC Doctors Hospital in Naga, as the hospital she was previously admitted to has no intensive care unit facility.

Since her detention in February 2017, De Lima said she only saw her mother thrice — in December 2018, in June 2019, and in August 2019.

“Now, Accused De Lima was informed that her long-ailing mother is continuing to experience labored breathing, and is in and out of consciousness,” her motion read.

“Given the positive COVID-19 tests previously administered, in addition to Mrs. De Lima’s advanced age and overall declining health, it is extremely urgent that Accused De Lima be given the opportunity to see her mother, even through online video conferencing, without further delay, preferably within the day,” the motion further read.

On Wednesday, De Lima appealed for prayers after her ailing mother tested positive for COVID-19.

De Lima is detained at PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City, for drug charges which her camp had called "trumped up." She is also seeking a second six-year term at the Senate in the upcoming elections. —KBK, GMA News