Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Partylist Representative Leila de Lima said her absence from Senate sessions during her term should not be compared to Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, stressing that the circumstances behind their non-attendance are fundamentally different.
“Our non-attendance in Senate sessions during our incumbency was involuntary. I could not be physically present in the Senate because I was in detention to face the fabricated charges filed against me then by the Duterte administration. On the other hand, Sen. Bato is running away from possible arrest by the ICC,” de Lima said in a statement.
De Lima, who was jailed over three drug-related cases that were eventually dismissed, pointed out that she continued working as a senator despite her detention.
“Kahit nakakulong ako noon at kahit mahirap dahil wala akong kahit anumang gadget, nagtatrabaho po ako bilang Senador sa pagpa-file ko ng maraming bills na ilan sa kanila ay naging batas,” she said.
She also noted that she requested to participate remotely during the pandemic, but was denied by the Senate majority.
“Naki-usap pa nga ako na mag-participate sa online sessions and hearings ng Senate during pandemic dahil ginagawa naman na yun, pero hindi napagbigyan ng mayorya ng Senado,” de Lima added.
“These matters of productivity in legislative output and the constant eagerness to join plenary sessions and committee hearings despite my unjust detention are clear evidence of work and intent to work,” she said.
De Lima warned against using her situation to justify the lack of discipline of other senators.
“Wag nyo naman po kaming gamiting excuse sa hindi pagdisiplina sa isang delinkwenteng senador,” she stressed.