De Lima to cast vote in Parañaque

MANILA, Philippines — Opposition Sen. Leila de Lima will temporarily leave her cell at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center at Camp Crame in Quezon City today to vote at a polling precinct in Parañaque City, where she is a registered voter.

De Lima was allowed by the court handling her drug cases to vote with police escorts at polling precinct No. 0648A at the Santa Rita College in Sucat from 12 noon to 2 p.m.

 “I’m thankful for the chance to vote this elections not only to fulfill my duty as a citizen but also to strengthen our democracy,” she said in a statement.

On April 30, Judge Liezel Aquiatan of the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 205 granted De Lima’s motion to allow her to vote.

She was barred from giving media interviews.

Judge Amelia Fabros Corpuz of RTC Branch 256 also granted De Lima’s petition to vote.

The court ordered the senator to shoulder the expenses for her transport to and from the polling center.

De Lima urged the Filipino electorate to value the right to vote.