De Lima still undecided on senatorial plan

MANILA, Philippines - Justice Secretary Leila de Lima remains undecided on whether to run for senator under the Liberal Party (LP).

“To be honest about it, people have been asking me, but I have not decided yet,” she said. “I really don’t know yet.”

The LP is eyeing De Lima, along with Budget Secretary Florencio Abad and Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman for its senatorial lineup in 2016, according to former lawmaker Danilo Suarez.

De Lima said she is considering several options, including a possible political career or going back to private law practice.

“I don’t think I’m retirable by 2016, so I have several options,” she said.

She has not yet discussed  the matter with President Aquino, she added.

However, De Lima said Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II had good- naturedly raised it to her.

“Secretary Mar would tell me in jest that I will be tapped for the senatorial race,” she said. “But that was just a joke, of course.” 

De Lima said it is too early to make the decision as she is focused on her duties in the Department of Justice.

Last September, De Lima hinted that she was not interested in accepting the top post in the Commission on Elections to be vacated when Chairman Sixto Brillantes retires next February.