Palace's birthday wish for De Lima: Good night's sleep

MANILA, Philippines — The Palace wishes that Sen. Leila de Lima will a happy birthday even as she has been the subject of accusations from President Rodrigo Duterte.

Presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo wished that the senator would have a good night's sleep. This was after Duterte said De Lima is likely experiencing nightmares over her alleged links to the illegal drug trade.

"According to President Duterte, Sen. De Lima has been having nightmares. So my birthday wish for the good senator is that she sleeps soundly tonight and thereafter," Panelo said.

Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella also wished the senator a happy birthday.  De Lima is celebrating her 57th birthday on Saturday.

Last Thursday, Lima has asked Duterte to stop picking on her, saying she needs to focus on her job as a lawmaker.

"Please, Mr. President... I'll be 57 years old and still young. Sana po sa mga matitira ko pang mga taon dito, mahaba-haba pa naman ho siguro yan, God-willing, dito sa mundong ito, makabuluhan naman ang aking mga gagawin rather than ito na napipilitan akong sumagot sa mga kabulastugan na ito [I wish to still have a long life, God-willing, and I hope to have a meaningful life and not waste time answering non-sense accusations]," De Lima said.

De Lima vowed not to speak again on Duterte's tirades linking her to illicit drug activities inside the New Bilibid Prisons. Duterte had accused her of having drug ties through her supposed lover and former driver.

"I promised myself not to be emotional. This is the last time. I want to focus on the issues at hand, yung pinakatrabaho ko po sa Senado," De Lima sai