De Lima to launch 2nd book to mark 59th bday

FILE: Senator Leila de Lima (Photo: Senate of the Philippines/Facebook)

Fight for Freedom and Other Writings will be released on August 26, eve of her 59th birthday. The launching, to be held in Quezon City, will be attended by de Lima’s former colleagues, relatives, supporters, and fellow human rights advocates.

De Lima’s new book contains a collection of writings, speeches, letters and notes about her, and her quest for freedom. It also collects messages of solidarity for the senator penned by prominent personalities like Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo, former Hong Kong Legislative Council member Emily Lau, Liberal International President Juli Minoves, and columnists Solita Collas-Monsod, Vergel Santos, and John Nery, among others.

She dedicates her book to the Filipino people who believe in her innocence, despite the ‘trumped-up’ charges lodged against her.

“To my oppressors, jailing me despite my innocence is your burden to keep. To the Filipino people: No matter the persecution, I will never stop fighting. [This book] is dedicated to family, friends, and supporters who cry out for my freedom,” de Lima wrote in her book’s dedication.

Former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III also wrote the foreword of the senator’s second book.

“As it stands, this collection sends a clear message: If injustice could be done to Leila, a sitting senator, injustice could be done to anyone. One therefore is challenged to make a personal inquiry: What could I do; and if I have done something, is it enough?” Aquino wrote.

Fight for Freedom and Other Writings is divided into five parts: From My Desk, Freedom Fighters, Standing by My Innocence, Voices of Hope, and Truth be Told.

Marking her first year in detention last February 2018, de Lima launched her first book entitled Dispatches from Crame I, containing a selection of more than 100 of her handwritten statements from her detention cell at the Philippine National Police (PNP)-Custodial Center in Camp Crame.

The senator, who is one of President Rodrigo Duterte’s staunchest critics, was arrested in February 2017 over drug-related charges against her. She will celebrate her birthday in jail for the second time on August 27, Monday.