De Lima files COC for senatorial slate

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Resigned Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Leila de Lima told the media “There’s no backing out” after filing her candidacy for senator in Intramuros, Manila

De Lima, who will run under the Liberal Party-led “Koalisyon ng Daang Matuwid”, hopes that Filipino people will still put their trust and confidence to her despite of her decision of moving to another branch of government.

“Tutuloy na po sa susunod na paglalakbay. Kung pinagkatiwalaan po ako ng taumbayan bilang chair ng Commission on Human Rights at DOJ secretary, panalangin ko po na pagkatiwalaan pa rin ako ng taumbayan dito sa akong paglalakbay from point J (justice) to point S (Senate),” said Leila De Lima in a report by Yuji Vincent Gonzales of Philippine Daily Inquirer.

(Let’s continue to the next journey. If the public trusted me as chair of Commission on Human Rights at DOJ secretary, I pray that they also trust me in this journey from point J to point S.)

“Sa tingin ko po kasi naging kulang ang oras ng paninilibihan natin sa DOJ. Itutuloy ko lang po ang mga ipinaglaban ko,” she added in the report.

(I think my time in serving the DOJ was not enough. I will just continue the things I’m fighting for.)

The former justice secretary will still prioritize anti-corruption efforts, reforming the criminal system, and protecting human rights if ever she win a senatorial seat, while her legislative agenda is still a “work in progress.”

“Tatlo po ang aking isusulong na general agenda: justice and rule of law, anti-corruption, and championing of human rights,” the former Justice Secretary said.

(My general agenda consists of three things: justice and rule of law, anti-corruption, and championing of human rights.)

“Panahon na po para pasimplehin natin ang sistema sa pag-iimbestiga at pag-uusig ng mga tiwali. Panahon na rin po na magkaroon tayo ng opensiba laban sa korupsyon sa pamamagitan ng pagpapatibay ng sistema para hindi na makapagtago ng yaman ang mga tiwali,” she added to Philippine Daily Inquirer.

(It’s time that we simplify the system in investigating corruption. It’s also time that we fight against corruption through strengthening the system so that the corrupt won’t be conceal any wealth.

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The Liberal Party Senatorial candidate Leila de Lima said she will prioritize the rights of the marginalized and disadvantaged “vulnerable sectors,” including women, children, senior citizens, and persons with disability.

De Lima also said in front of the reporters that she’s “here and ready.

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De Lima stepped down to her position as Secretary of Department of Justice during the agency’s 118th founding anniversary last September, and being replaced by chief presidential counsel Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa as ad interim Justice secretary.