Senator Risa Hontiveros celebrated former Senator Leila de Lima’s granting of bail plea and release from detention on Monday, Nov. 13.

“Napakalaking vindication nito sa buong opposition at sa’yo kasi sa lahat natin ikaw talaga yung ano sumalubong sa pinakamatinding dagok dahil sa dating presidente. Ikaw talaga yung sinirang puri niya, ikaw talaga yung wineaponize niya yung buong legal system para lang parusahan ka kasi ikaw yung unang nag-imbestiga sa kanya,” Hontiveros said at a press conference.

“You continued to speak truth to power. At kahit sinubukan niyang tambakan ka ng mga—ako na magsasabi—ng pekeng kaso—hindi naman ikaw ang nagsasabi, na-survive mo lahat yan, na-survive mo yung stroke, na-survive mo yung hostage taking, hindi ka tumigil magsalita sa mga issue,” she added.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros kay dating Sen. Leila De Lima: Konting konti na lang. Napakalaking vindication nito sa buong opposition at sa’yo…. Parang sumilip na ulit ang sikat ng araw.” | @dzrhnews pic.twitter.com/fjg23LXH4L

— Christian Maño (@xtian_mano) November 13, 2023

Hontiveros noted that de Lima’s handwritten letters during her detention at Camp Crame must have reached thousands.

“Libo na siguro yung mga handwritten letters mo from [Camp] Crame and here you are. So itong pagpapayag sa wakas na maka-post ka ng bail at yung napipinto mong ganap na paglaya ano eh parang sumilip na ulit yung sikat ng araw,” she said.

The Senator also said that de Lima’s nights have been long, but her hard work would shine through these hours of darkness.

“[A]lam natin na kahit napakatagal ng naging gabi mo, napakatagal ng gabi ng maraming kababayan natin, once sumikat yan dahil sa mga ginawa mo, hindi mapipigilan kumalat yan. So we’re all so happy to have you with us. We all love you very much,” she added.

De Lima was granted to post bail for her third and final pending drug case.