De Lima hopes to help rebuild LP through Mamamayang Liberal

Former Senator Leila de Lima said she is seeking public office again, this time under the party-list system, since she believes it will allow her to advocate for the interests of underrepresented groups.

At a press conference on Friday, De Lima, who faced drug-related charges for seven years, said she initially planned to return to private law practice and teaching after she was released from detention in November 2023.

However, the accreditation of Mamamayang Liberal as the multi-sectoral arm of the Liberal Party changed her course.

"Some of my colleagues convinced me to join ML as lead nominee. I gave it serious thought, consulted my family, friends, and allies, and then I said yes," De Lima said.

"This is an opportunity to focus on advocating for those who need it most—the true essence of the party-list system," she added.

De Lima acknowledged that the LP has struggled in recent elections, with its political influence significantly diminished.

The former senator said the 2025 midterm elections are an opportunity for the once-dominant LP ''to regain its ground.''

''We want to reverse the false narrative that has been used against the party," she said.

Impeachment

Asked about her position on the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte, De Lima emphasized that the Senate is constitutionally bound to ''immediately proceed'' with the trial.

"The Constitution is very clear, under Article XI, Section 4, Paragraph 3, that as soon as the article of impeachment is filed, the Senate trial shall forthwith proceed. Very clear, categorical, and unequivocal terms. 'Shall' means mandatory. 'Forthwith' means immediately, at once. And it is a special mandate of the Senate," she said.

De Lima underscored that impeachment is a special non-legislative function of the Senate, separate from its regular legislative duties.

She said the rules on recess and legislative schedules do not apply to the impeachment process.

"It's under the chapter on accountability of public officers. Recess is not an excuse," she added.

De Lima also pointed to the two-month delay by the House of Representatives in forwarding the impeachment complaint, noting that while the process eventually moved forward, the delay raised concerns about political maneuvering.

"The House took too long to act. They sat on it for months," she said.

Echoing De Lima's position, former Quezon congressman and ML's third nominee Erin Tañada insisted that the Senate cannot delay the impeachment trial, as the Constitution provides no room for discretion.

"Wala naman nakalagay sa ating Saligang Batas na kailangan may clamor. Ang maliwanag lang, ‘shall, forthwith, proceed,’" Tañada said, emphasizing that the Senate’s responsibility to conduct the trial is a command, not a choice.

Tañada added that several petitions have been filed with the Supreme Court, including one from Duterte herself and another questioning the impeachment process. He thinks that the SC might not even rule on the petitions before the impeachment trial begins.

"If the impeachment court is already convened before the Supreme Court rules, then the case might become moot unless an ATR (automatic temporary restraining order) is issued," he added.

Tecson

At the same press conference, De Lima once again denied links to disbarred lawyer Demosthenes Tecson, expressing surprise at her name being mentioned in an SC press release.

"So I was surprised that my name was suddenly there. When I saw the press release from the Supreme Court, I was shocked that my name was there. I do not know that person,'' she said.

She said she even consulted her 2022 campaign team, but no one recognized or had any knowledge of Tecson.

"No, no one knows him. I think it was not fair that I was still mentioned there. In the first place, I was not even implicated. I am not implicated as a party there. So I was at least called or asked to answer if that was really the allegation of that lawyer."

The SC's press release, dated February 19, detailed Tecson's disbarment for grave misconduct, including allegations that he retained a portion of a court-awarded sum for his clients, purportedly for De Lima's senatorial campaign.

"The trolls are bashing again with baseless accusations. I do not know that lawyer, and I do not ever remember meeting him. Then suddenly, my name appears there. That press release did not need to mention me because I have nothing to do with that case," she said.— VBL, GMA Integrated News

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