Press Release
August 25, 2019

Committee advocating for De Lima's freedom to be launched at historic Club Filipino

A committee advocating for the unconditional freedom of Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima from unjust charges will be launched tomorrow (Aug. 26) at the historic Club Filipino in San Juan, on the eve of her 60th birthday.

Called "Committee for the Freedom of Leila M. de Lima", its launching will be held at Club Filipino's Pavilion function room from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., coinciding with the commemoration of National Heroes' Day.

Part of the committee's core members are renown economist Prof. Solita Collas-Monsod, Law Dean Prof. Antonio La Vina, former peace process chief Teresita "Ging" Deles, former De La Salle University president Bro. Armin Luistro and former Senator Rene Saguisag.

The committee believes De Lima, who is unjustly detained for more than two years now, should be freed as she is innocent of all the trumped-up drug charges fabricated by the administration using convicted and perjured criminals as witnesses.

As highlight of the launching, Sen. Saguisag will read a joint statement from former senators in support of initiatives to allow De Lima to participate in the plenary sessions and voting at the Senate.

It may be recalled that in the Senate, Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon and Sen. Panfilo Lacson introduced Senate Resolution No. 51 seeking to allow De Lima's participation in plenary sessions via teleconferencing.

In their resolution, Drilon and Lacson said she should be allowed to fulfill her mandate by participating in plenary sessions via teleconferencing, video conferencing or other forms of remote or electronic communications.

Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III expressed support behind the resolution, saying De Lima to join the plenary sessions through available technology.

De Lima repeatedly maintained her innocence from the charges, saying these are all part of Duterte administration's political retaliation for being the staunchest critic of its crooked policies.

Different human rights groups and other organizations advocating De Lima's freedom are also expected to attend the event.

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