De Lima marks third year in jail: 'I declare myself free'

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 23) — It has been three years since Senator Leila de Lima surrendered to authorities over illegal drug charges and remained in prison, but the opposition lawmaker said she feels "free."

"Today, I declare myself free. For though I may be physically detained, my mind is freer than it has ever been," she said in a statement on Sunday. "Thus, I am not a victim. I am not merely a survivor. I am not just a fighter. I am a defender."

She maintained that the drug charges against her were "trumped-up" and vowed to continue to defend democracy against the "weaponization of law."

However, in January, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said De Lima's continued stay in jail and delayed trial is her own doing.

Guevarra said the senator could have petitioned for bail and used other legal remedies to fight for her freedom. He added that they could not hold weekly hearings on her case because she keeps questioning court orders.

De Lima once called Guevarra a "good choice" when Duterte appointed him in his post in 2018.

De Lima, who is also a staunch critic of President Rodrigo Duterte's administration and his controversial war on drugs, had received support from several human rights groups and even US senators demanding for her release.

The Palace even cited the US government's recent actions against the Philippines over the "illegal detention" of the senator, for terminating the Visiting Forces Agreement with the Western nation.

US President Donald Trump in December signed a measure where a provision prohibits the entry of "foreign government officials involved in the wrongful imprisonment...of Senator Leila de Lima, who was arrested in the Philippines in 2017."

Almost a year into Duterte's presidency, De Lima was accused of abetting illegal drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison while she was Justice Secretary from 2010 to 2015 and was subsequently arrested. She continues to be a regular subject of the President's tirades.

The three drug-related cases against De Lima are still pending before the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court.