(Eagle News)–“People know who are and are not the real victims of political persecution.”
This was the brief response of Senator Leila de Lima to Senator Bong Revilla’s statement allowing her to take part in Senate proceedings would only reflect double standards and would be a form of special treatment.
In a statement, Revilla said when he was incarcerated due to “politically motivated charges,” it was “the official position of the Senate leadership at that time that the absence of three senators would have no impact on legislation.”
He was referring to himself, and then-Senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Jinggoy Estrada who were also charged in connection with the pork barrel scam and detained.
Revilla added a “very vocal group” was against his participation in Senate proceedings.
“It is funny that among that group were Leila De Lima herself and some of those signatories in the open letter released yesterday,” Revilla said, referring to the open letter calling for De Lima to be allowed to participate in Senate proceedings.
Those who signed the letter were former President Noynoy Aquino and former senators Rene Saguisag, Wigberto Tañada Sr., Sergio Osmena III, Antonio Trillanes IV, Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, Mar Roxas and Francisco Tatad.
“Wala yang pinagkaiba sa sitwasyon ko noon,” he said.
He said if De Lima was allowed, “halatang halata naman ang special treatment.”
He said “equal protection and fair play dictate that Leila De Lima cannot be allowed to participate in Senate proceedings, even if only remotely.”
Allowing De Lima to fully participate in Senate proceedings would also be “a travesty against the Senate as a whole as this has no basis in the rules.”
“And even if the rules are amended, it will lead to absurd results,” he added.
De Lima, who is facing charges in connection with her alleged role in the illegal drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison, is detained in Camp Crame.