By Meanne Corvera
Eagle News Service
The Inter-Parliamentary Union has reiterated what it said was its deep concern over the continued pre-trial detention of Senator Leila de Lima.
The organization of parliaments made known its stand anew through a resolution it adopted as it closed its 138th Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland on March 28.
The IPU also put to task the Senate, which it said has the “special responsibility to help ensure that its colleagues participate in its deliberations and to speak out when they face reprisals for their work.”
“(IPU) regrets therefore that the Senate has not been able to take a firm stance in favor of De Lima’s direct participation in the Senate’s most important work (and) sincerely hopes that the Senate, under leadership of its President, will finally be able to act in solidarity with its colleague,” it said.
According to the IPU, De Lima should be immediately released and all legal proceedings against her abandoned unless there was serious evidence against her.
So far, though, it said that based on the IPU Committee mission report, the “steps taken” against De Lima were in response to what it said was her opposition to President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, among others.
It said it would send a representative to monitor proceedings in the Muntinlupa courts.
De Lima, who is detained in Camp Crame, is facing drug-related cases there in connection with her alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison when she was justice secretary.