The Manila Times

Leila de Lima: A scandal who makes Filipinos squirm

- YEN MAKABENTA sundalongk­anin yenmakaben­ta@yahoo.com

Knowing our recent history and the dysfunctio­ns of our public life, I can see how some people and groups study or even support.

But with De Lima as proponent, what chances do they have of ever getting off the ground?

Alas, the chances are zilch. De Lima will more likely dissuade, rather than inspire, people to un

Her brand is scandal

loads on her Duterte brief (“sociopath and her credential­s (“she is not from the sheer weight of her orotund and shaky reputation.

De Lima is an unusual politician who makes Filipinos squirm, because of the way she has packed into her career scandal, controvers­y, corruption, and abuse of power.

People remember her for a litany of headline-grabbing transgress­ions: - secretary, which were exposed in a coddling of the illegal drug trade inside the national penitentia­ry and her alleged acceptance of bribes from drug - litical opponents of former President to enforce the detention of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on the bidding of Aquino.

attracted scandal so relentless­ly as De Lima has. It is as if her brand is scandal. not public service.

Trillanes as partner in notoriety

at the same time that she does. Otherwise, she will be attracting all the negativity all by herself. The former coup-plotter turned senator is a magnet for brickbats.

While De lima hurls the political bombs against DU30, Trillanes moves behind the scenes to recruit the planned coup.

relatives and friends, our conversa Leila de Lima and Antonio Trillanes. One of us asked the group: who will get your vote, if you have to choose between them? Who is more wicked and embarrassi­ng? Everyone thought it is cruel and barbarous to be made to choose between them.

To my surprise, many of the women do not like Leila one bit; they have no sympathy for her ordeal; they feel she should suffer what former President Arroyo endured in detention.

With respect to Trillanes, and his demand that President Duterte disclose his bank account, everyone is repelled by him. The consensus feeling is that people will remember “ than they will remember DU30’s alleged P2-billion deposits.

The entire group felt that the the two senators. The public will be happiest, if they are both thrown in facing charges in court.

Edgar Matobato and Arthur Lascañas to testify about the Davao Death

Most in the gathering believe that the Lascañas’ retraction was timed to forestall De Lima’s imminent arrest How much did De Lima and Trillanes

Many believe this is all part of the Yellow fantasy/conspiracy to organize the public and the military to stage a people power revolt on February 25 to topple Duterte.

The Yellows are indignant that the indoors to Camp Aguinaldo.

The idea of calling on the cabi is based on a constituti­onal provi the Cabinet to force the President to step down by ruling that he is mentally incapacita­ted.

The Yellows tried this scheme during the administra­tion of President Arroyo. The so-called Hyatt 10 tried to stage a “constituti­onal coup” by demanding Arroyo’s resignatio­n and tendering their resignatio­n. This was squarely blunted.

People power in parody?

Leaders, it has been said, are lucky or unlucky depending on the kind of enemies and opponents they generate during their time of rule.

is fortunate to have the kind of op think he is lucky to have the Liberals and the Aquinos as the principal force opposing him. Their confusion almost looks like support.

With De Lima and Trillanes as the top strategist­s of destabiliz­ation, DU30 might laugh.

The Catholic laity may be something else. Having the Catholic bishops and the parishes arrayed against the President can hardly be a blessing.

The Yellow movement made a strategic mistake in adopting De Lima as its spearhead and moving force. Did anyone hear her call for the people to revolt? Did the Duterte Cabinet even notice their opportunit­y?

- called in parody instead of

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