Allies visit detained senator
Members of the minority in the House of the Representatives visited detained Senator Leila de Lima Monday and discussed with her current issues such as China's war threat and President Rodrigo Duterte's refusal to accept grants from the European Union.
Caloocan City Representative Edgar Erice said it was a “casual” visit and no serious matter was tackled during their discussion.
Others who visited De Lima at the Philippine National Police (PNP) custodial center in Camp Crame before noon Monday were Albay Representative Edcel Lagman, Ifugao Congressman Teodoro Baguilat Jr., Capiz Representative Emmanuel Billones, Northern Samar Representative Raul Daza and Magdalo partylist Representative Gary Alejano.
Erice said De Lima looked thinner and paler.
De Lima has been detained at the PNP custodial center since January 24 on illegal drug charges.
She is sharing the same deten- tion facility as former senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla and Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, who are facing charges of plunder for their alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam.
Meanwhile, Alejano said they provided De Lima an update particularly on Duterte's stand on China's war threat.
He said the impeachment complaint was not discussed.
On the matter of the President's refusal on EU grant, Alejano said they believe that it was not bound by condition but by common goals.
For his part, Lagman urged their counterparts at the Senate to support the “occasional furlough” De Lima was asking par- ticularly for important proceedings as it was her constitutional rights and duty as an elected official.
Erice said if the court can allow other detainees to attend birthday parties and other family affairs, it will also be just to allow De Lima to perform her duties and responsibilities as a senator.
“Siguro occasionally pwede wag lang ‘yung araw-araw na pagdalo sa session. Siguro kung may voting na importante may mga issues na pag-uusapansiguro dapat payagan ng korte kasi mahalaga din na mai-present ni Senator De Lima ‘yung constituency niya, being a duly elected senator,” he said.