Former Sen. Leila de Lima Speaks on Marcos-Duterte “UniTeam”
LEILA DE LIMA – The former Senator stressed that the “dismantled” Uniteam is a blessing thus, the people speak out.
In the history of the Philippine politics, it is no secret to many people that one senator has been detained for more than six (6) years for the charges that were later on dismissed. Former Sen. De Lima was detained in the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Facility.
De Lima faced accusations that linked her to illegal drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) during her term as the Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary. Amid the then-Senator denying the allegations, several individuals testified against her.
However, after years, many individuals who testified and pinned down De Lima recanted their testimonies. One of them is Kerwin Espinosa who claimed that then-PNP chief Bato dela Rosa forced him to implicate De Lima in the drug trade issue.
According to Kerwin who is a self-confessed drug lord, Dela Rosa allegedly coerced him to implicate not only De Lima but as well as Peter Lim. He was allegedly threatened to have the same fate as his father if he will not do it.
The father of Kerwin, slain Albuera mayor Rolando Espinosa, died during a raid in his cell. Sen. Bato dela Rosa denied the claim of Kerwin Espinosa tagging him as a liar.
Espinosa asked apology to De Lima. For her part, the former Senator said that she has forgiven the people who testified against her but it is a different situation for those who instigated the move.
Recently, former Sen. Leila de Lima also reacted to the “dismantled” UniTeam, the Marcos-Duterte tandem. It is no secret to the public that the sweet relationship between Pres. Bongbong Marcos and the Dutertes has turned sour lately.
“I would say it was a blessing that the Uniteam was dismantled because people are now getting emboldened [to confess],” De Lima said based on a report on ABS-CBN News.
According to the former Senator, the statement of Espinosa was not a surprise to her anymore but his recent move also “means another vindication” for her. She stressed that it is all part of her redemption before the general public.
“For years they imprisoned me, deprived me of my liberty and they deprived me of my honor,” the former Senator said.
Based on the report, former Sen. De Lima admitted she has some negative feelings against her colleagues for allegedly allowing themselves to be used. She claimed that everyone was afraid of “Mr. Duterte”.