Former Senator Leila de Lima pledged to address the struggles of marginalized sectors, emphasizing their shared advocacy for justice, social justice, and reforms under the Mamamayang Liberal Partylist (ML).
In the Bakit Ikaw: The DZRH Job Interview on Monday, de Lima emphasized that justice extends beyond the imprisonment and prosecution of criminals; it also includes justice in the context of social justice.
She added that social justice addresses issues like poverty, inequality, unemployment, and poor social conditions, while explaining that "those who have less in life must have more in law."
Moreover, de Lima mentioned that one of the priority legislations of the ML partylist is to introduce amendments to the partylist system law, as she noted that it is being abused.
The former Senator explained that political dynasties, dissatisfied with their current power base, form party-list groups to expand their influence, with family members often serving as nominees.
De Lima stressed the need to implement party discipline to avoid the exploitation of the party-list system.
"Sa sectoral mismo, mayroon na po kaming priority legislation for each of the marginalized sectors," said de Lima.
"Sa fisherfolks halimbawa, ang balak po ng ML ay magsulong ng magna carta for small fisherfolks para ilagay namin diyan na hindi pwede na ang 15 km municipal waters ay mapunta sa mga commercial fishing and maglalagay rin ng housing settlement para doon sa mga mangingisda natin," she added.
She emphasized the need for proper housing settlements near the beaches, ensuring that the structures are well-built and suitable for fisherfolks.
In addition, their group seeks to push for the allocation of 4-6% of the previous GDP to the education sector, ensuring it receives the highest budgetary allocation as mandated by the Constitution.
Ways to address the rampant corruption in the country
De Lima acknowledged that corruption is a serious issue in the country and while it may be nearly impossible to completely eradicate, it can certainly be reduced.
"Napakaseryoso ang problema natin ng korapsyon, hindi na mawala-wala. As they say, it’s almost impossible to eradicate completely corruption, pero pwede itong mapababa, mabawasan," de Lima stated.
"Ang pinakatugon po namin diyan is that dapat ho kasi talaga humahalal ang ating mga botante ng mga leader, anuman ang mga posisyon nila, na naniniwala at pinapractice o nage-exhibit ng good and clean governance," she added.
She pointed out that with good and clean governance, corruption is minimized because there is transparency, and officials are not focused on finding ways to profit while in power.
Furthermore, she stated that with less corruption, more funds can be allocated to deserving projects that benefit those on the margins of society.
When it comes to the national budget, de Lima mentioned that the ML is considering filing a bill to regulate the mandates of the bicameral conference committee.
She mentioned that before the General Appropriations Act (GAA) is submitted to the Office of the President, it first goes through the bicameral conference committee.
According to her, the bicam should only address inconsistencies, but it appears that the bicameral conference has taken on the role of a "new Congress."
Fair laws for everyone
"Yan po ang pinakaesensya ng partylist system, ang bigyan ng boses ang mga walang boses – ang mga nasa laylayan," de Lima explained.
"Kaya nga napakaimportante na piliin natin ang mga partylist na alam natin na ‘yun ang magta-trabaho para sa kapakanan ng mga nasa laylayan, marginalized sectors, kasama na sa hanay ninyo na vendors," she added.
She acknowledged the challenges that vendors face and highlighted the importance of LGUs in solving these problems.
"Pero sa pangkalahatan, kami sa partylist, ay makaasa po kayo na maidudulog namin sa pamamagitan ng legislation, kasi alam niyo naman sa Kongreso, sa House of Representatives, just like ‘yung Senado, ay ang aming pinakamandato ay magpasa ng mga karapat-dapat na mga batas," she added.
Her decision to be in public service again as First Nominee under ML
Meanwhile, de Lima admitted that she had no intention of running for any office. She revealed that when she was released in November 2023, her plan was simply to go back to private law practice and return to teaching at a law school.
However, once ML was accredited as a party-list by the COMELEC, she felt motivated to run for office once again.
"May mga nakakausap akong grupo grupo, at nakita ko, I realized, ang dami pa palang dapat gawin. I also realized na kung private citizen lang ako i can only do so much. Mas marami kang magagawa, mas marami kang matutulungan kung nasa public service ka," de Lima recounted.
"I decided na between senatorial and partylist, tiningnan ko na mas maganda, mas magiging fulfilling kung under partylist kasi representation iyan ng marginalized sectors," she added.
She pointed out that she also considered the practical side of things, mentioning that running for Senate is tough due to the large number of candidates.
Additionally, she noted that if you look at the current surveys, the names in the top 12 are so competitive, making it almost impossible to secure a spot.
"Kasi ang politics natin ngayon nakakalungkot – money politics and politics of popularity. Okay lang na popular ka pero mayroon kang “k” na maging Senador dahil alam mo, kabisado mo ang mandato ng Senado," she mentioned.
Reasons to vote for ML
De Lima, in campaigning for their party-list, pointed out that they are deserving of votes, as they are fully committed to working hard if given the opportunity to serve in Congress.
"Mayroon na kaming legislative agenda for each of the marginalized sectors that we represent. Mayroon din po kami ng pangkalahatan ng mga batas na hinahanda na," said de Lima.
She also highlighted that it's undeniable she has never backed down and has continuously fought for justice, pointing out that she does not hide, retreat, or give up when confronted with challenges.
"Makakasiguro po kayo sa aming kapasidad, sa aming sinseridad, sa aming integridad bilang mambabatas," she added.
