Senator Leila De Lima said her recognition as one of the 50 World’s Greatest World Leaders of 2018 is proof that President Rodrigo Duterte failed to silence and suppress her spirit.
The detained senator, who placed 39th in the list released by Fortune magazine, said her detention will not stop her from fighting against abuse of human rights, among other issues.
“Duterte and his henchmen may be successful in keeping me illegally detained but they failed to suppress my spirit and silence me, especially on matters of justice, democracy and human rights,” she said in a statement.
The magazine detailed De Lima’s actions in opposing Duterte’s war on drugs, particularly on the issue of extra-juicial killings.
“President Rodrigo Duterte’s hardline policies against drug dealers are polarizing globally, but in the Philippines they’ve faced little dissent,” Fortune wrote about the senator.
“De Lima, who headed a committee investigating hundreds of extrajudicial killings under Duterte’s leadership, has been a noble exception.”
De Lima extended her gratitude towards the magazine for recognizing her efforts.
“I am grateful that Fortune magazine saw through the lies of this administration and recognized my work aimed at putting an end to the abuses happening under Duterte’s ruthless and obviously anti-poor campaign on illegal drugs,” De Lima said.
“Thus, I should continue opposing and speaking out against the inhumane and crooked policies of this administration even from inside the prison,” she said.
The Palace has yet to comment on De Lima’s statement.
De Lima is currently detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame for her alleged role in drug trades during the Aquino administration.
She also served as Commission on Human Rights Chairperson under the Macapagal-Arroyo administration. During this period, De Lima investigated the role of then Davao City Mayor Duterte in the alleged reports of extra-judicial killings in the city.
