VP confirms visit to De Lima

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo on Tuesday afternoon confirmed that she visited detained Sen. Leila De Lima.

“Pumunta po ako noong first night sa Camp Crame, pumunta ako mga alas-otso ng gabi. Ako na lang, ako na lang yata ang huling bisita na dumaan doon.  Nabisita ko naman si Senator Leila,” Robredo said in a released interview transcript.

De Lima has been detained at the Philippine National Police’s Custodial Center since last Saturday.

She allegedly violated Section 5 (sale) in relation to Section 3 (jj trading), Section 26 (b) and Section 28 or the criminal liability of government officials and employees under the Republic Act 9165 also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 for allowing the proliferation of the drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison.

During her visit, Robredo said De Lima just updated her with her legal team’s remedy plans including the petitions she filed at the Supreme Court to get her temporary liberty.

Despite her detention, Robredo described De Lima to be optimistic.

“Parang in good spirits naman siya, pinag-usapan namin, nagtanong ako kung anong puwedeng maitulong from our end,” Robredo said. 

“Ano naman siya, siya ang nag-update sa akin kung anong ginagawa ng opisina niya, ginagawa ng team niya para salungatin iyong mga pangyayaring, iyong mga nangyari,” she added.

On Friday, Robredo said the arrest of De Lima is part of the current administration's persistent political harassment campaign against a duly elected member of Congress.