De Lima vows to keep self busy with Senate works amid legal battle

De Lima, who is a vocal critic of President Rodrigo Duterte, said that she will soon attend painting lessons to help her fight depression. (Photo: Philippine News Agency)

The detained Senator Leila de Lima on Sunday has vowed to keep herself busy with drafting legislative measures aimed to promote the welfare and protect the rights of ordinary Filipino people despite the legal battle she faces while in detention.

De Lima’s office said that the lady Senator has “her plate full with bills and resolutions she is reviewing for possible filing soon, along with a long list of books and other relevant reading materials she intends to finish.”

“I keep myself busy while regularly working on filing bills and resolutions because I don’t want my mind to be idle and be lured into bitterness or depression,” De Lima said.

Life inside detention

De Lima said that she will soon attend painting lessons to help her fight depression.

“When my supporters suggested for me to attend painting lessons, my first reaction was, ‘Matututo kaya ako [Will I learn]?’ They answered in the affirmative and I told myself that it’s also good to express myself through art,” she said.

The Senator was arrested in February 2017 over drug charges filed by the Department of Justice.

Her office added that aside from drafting legislative measures, De Lima has also started the hobby of taking care of plants inside her detention cell while petting the stray cats that regularly flock in her quarters.

De Lima also shared that her interest on painting was inspired by her eldest son Israel’s love for the craft, who is a special child.

“He is my angel and my inspiration. He inspires me to do things, be it venturing into painting or continuing my fight for justice and the rule of law,” De Lima said.

“I don’t want to be depressed, and good thing I’ve never been. Yes, I’m sad at times but never depressed,” she shared.