MANILA, Philippines – Former Vice President Leni Robredo took a moment on Saturday to reflect on the struggles of former Senator Leila de Lima, as the Duterte family, lawyers, and supporters continue to advocate for "due process" following the detention of ex-President Rodrigo Duterte by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
In a press conference in Naga City, where Robredo appeared alongside De Lima, a fellow Bikolana and Mamamayang Liberal Party list candidate, Robredo shared her thoughts on the contrast between the two leaders' legal battles.
"I couldn't help but compare Duterte's situation to what Senator Leila went through," Robredo said.
For seven long years, De Lima endured the agony of being imprisoned on trumped-up drug charges, all of which were eventually dismissed.
Now, Duterte is facing a legal reckoning, under the custody of the ICC, where he could become the first Asian head of state to be tried by the tribunal for crimes against humanity."
Robredo emphasized that the former president’s calls for “due process” seemed particularly significant given De Lima’s prolonged suffering under similar conditions. “This is a first step toward accountability and justice—and De Lima went through it too," Robredo added. "All this talk about due process and how unfair everything is, I can't help but keep thinking about her situation.”
Robredo further acknowledged De Lima’s unwavering commitment to facing the charges against her, despite the overwhelming political harassment she endured. "She faced those charges no matter how difficult and unfair they were, even when it was clear they were politically motivated," Robredo stated.
The contrast in living conditions between Duterte’s detention at the ICC’s Scheveningen facility and De Lima’s confinement at Camp Crame was also highlighted. Robredo noted that while Duterte has access to a computer, family visits, and relatively comfortable living conditions, De Lima endured far harsher circumstances during her seven years of detention.
“Duterte has access to a computer, his living conditions are decent, and he enjoys conjugal and family visits. This was not the case for Senator Leila. Her room was small, hot, and lacked basic comforts like air conditioning. She didn’t even have access to a computer, even though she was a sitting senator at the time,” Robredo said.
Robredo also reminded the public of the dangerous and life-threatening situations De Lima faced, including an incident in 2022 where she was nearly killed after being housed with an Abu Sayyaf inmate notorious for b*heading hostages. “Senator Leila almost lost her life because of the conditions she was forced to endure,” Robredo said.
Former Senator Leila de Lima herself also spoke out about the importance of justice and accountability. "Former President Duterte is fortunate to be granted due process—something he denied to countless victims of his bloody War on Drugs," de Lima remarked.
"He will have to explain himself. Nearly a decade has passed—accountability cannot be avoided forever. Justice is neither a privilege nor a tool of the powerful. It is a reckoning that no one should be exempt from," she added.
De Lima, who was imprisoned for almost seven years on alleged fabricated charges, concluded by reaffirming her belief in the eventual triumph of truth. "For almost seven years, I was unjustly imprisoned by Duterte and his cohorts, based on baseless charges against me. But let me make it clear: the truth will always prevail, and those responsible will be held accountable."
As the legal proceedings against Duterte continue to unfold, Robredo and De Lima’s remarks underscore a call for accountability and fairness, as they reflect on the stark contrasts between their experiences with the justice system.
— The Summit Express
