De Lima supporters launch ‘Lima2016’

Campaign logo from Lima 2016 Facebook Page

MANILA — Supporters of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima launched #Lima2016, a movement to push for De Lima’s senatorial bid.

The group said “#Lima2016” is  “a voluntary movement of individuals and groups committed to pursue democratic governance and a rights-based reform agenda.”

In an interview, De Lima said that she is aware of the campaign but denied involvement in their activity.

“It is purely an initiative of volunteers, some of whom I know (friends, classmates, sorority sisters, kababayans) and some I do not know (total strangers).

I am of course heartened and humbled by such a move. Yet scared,” De Lima said.

The secretary is still mum about whether she will run for Senator in 2016 or not.

“So tinitingnan ko muna kung kaya ko pumasok sa mundo ng pulitika kasi hindi po ako sanay sa mundo ng pulitika… well kung trabaho syempre, kaya po ‘yan pero the environment itself, I would not know if I’m cut out for it,” De Lima said.

(I’ll have to assess if I can enter the world of politics because I am not used to it. Well, if it’s job, I believe I can, but the environment itself, I would not know if I’m cut out for it.

)

The movement uses the hand symbol logo, which lawyer Dahlia Salamat explained as a symbol of their support to meaningful reforms.

The soft launching of the movement was held with a flashmob along Philcoa Elliptical Road, Quezon City.

A media briefing also followed in a restaurant at the Quezon City Memorial Circle.

Councilor Roderick Paulate and Reps. Alfredo Vargas III and Jose Christopher “Kit” Belmonte were among the attendees during the launching.