
Former Senator Leila de Lima and Senator Risa Hontiveros during a presscon at Novotel after being granted bail by the Muntinlupa RTC on November 13, 2023. 好色先生TV / NOY MORCOSO
MANILA, Philippines 鈥 Former Senator Leila de Lima simply wished for God to forgive and bless former President Rodrigo Dutere for the charges against her that were allegedly fabricated during his administration.
After being granted bail, de Lima issued the message during a press conference in Quezon City.
鈥淕od forgive him and God bless him,鈥 said De Lima when asked what her message is to Duterte.
De Lima said she has more she wishes to say, but opted to keep it simple and not too political in what she tagged as a 鈥渢riumphant moment.鈥
鈥淚 don鈥檛 want to be political-sounding tonight, because this is a moment of joy. This is a triumphant moment for me, so as much as possible I want to be gracious, god forgive him and god bless him,鈥 said De Lima.
鈥淗e knows what he did to me, I suppose,鈥 she added.
Plans on counter-suing?
When asked if she plans to sue back those who put her behind bars, De Lima said she and her legal team are still in the middle of planning it.
鈥淲ala muna kaming mga specific na mga pwede iannounce about that, there鈥檚 always that option, but as to definite plans pinaguusapan 鈥榶an,鈥 said De Lima.
(We don鈥檛 have any specifics to announce about that, there鈥檚 always that option, but as to definite plans we are talking about that.)
鈥淚 need to do something also, a lot of things to do. Hindi po madali, napakahirap masakit talaga 鈥榶ung ipakulong ka ng wala kang kasalanan (It鈥檚 not easy, it鈥檚 really painful to be imprisoned when you鈥檙e innocent) and it鈥檚 a matter of justice that those that need to be held accountable should be held accountable,鈥 she added.
READ: Leila de Lima acquitted in 2nd drug case
De Lima was granted bail by the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court for her remaining drug case.
READ: Greatest frame-up鈥 unraveling 鈥 De Lima lawyer
She has been detained since February 24, 2017 鈥 for drug charges which her camp said were 鈥渢rumped up鈥 鈥 just months after launching a Senate inquiry into President Rodrigo Duterte鈥檚 bloody war on drugs.