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Senate minority bloc backs De Lima’s plea for occasional furlough

Senator Leila de Lima on Tuesday, January 24, 2017, delivers her privilege speech calling for legislative action against the proliferation of fake news. Benjie Castro © Provided by GMA News Online Senator Leila de Lima on Tuesday, January 24, 2017, delivers her privilege speech calling for legislative action against the proliferation of fake news. Benjie Castro

The Senate minority bloc has filed a resolution expressing its support to Senator Leila de Lima’s request for temporary furlough so that she can attend to matters of crucial legislation.

Senate Resolution No. 391 was filed by Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, and Senators Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, Risa Hontiveros, and Antonio Trillanes IV. 

“Senator De Lima is not asking for the privilege of attending all legislative sessions or hearings, but is simply requesting for a modicum of support from the Senate to enable her to properly perform her mandate,” the resolution said.

“Senator De Lima has not been convicted of any crime and is in full possession of political and civil rights, the exercise of which are only limited by the deprivation of her physical liberty,” it added.

De Lima is presently detained at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame over her alleged involvement in the proliferation of illegal drugs inside the national penitentiary.

Earlier, De Lima wrote Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III requesting for an expression of support from the Senate for her “desire to be occasionally granted furlough by the court in charge of her detention to vote on crucial landmark legislation on a ‘case-to-case’ basis.”

Pimentel earlier said De Lima’s lawyers should handle her plea, dismissing the letter as “propaganda.”

In its resolution, the minority bloc cited a number of instances where the Supreme Court (SC) granted the request of former senators similarly charged with a non-bailable offense temporary furlough for humanitarian reasons.

It noted that the Sandiganbayan granted temporary furlough to former Senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. and Jinggoy Ejercito for some important family occasions or personal or health reasons.

It also cited that the Supreme Court has granted temporary liberty to former Senator Juan Ponce Enrile due to his “advanced age, poor health as well as his part and present disposition of respect for the legal process, length of public service and private reputation.” — RSJ, GMA News

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