Former Senator Leila de Lima arrived in her hometown in Brgy. San Agustin, Iriga City, Camarines Sur on Wednesday evening, Nov. 15, two days after she was released from almost seven years of imprisonment.

According to RH Ruel Saldico's report, de Lima was warmly welcomed by her siblings, family relatives, friends, fans, and supporters who were holding a tarpaulin “Welcome Home Sen. Leila!”.

“I am so happy na finally I am here dito sa hometown ko. Indescribable ang nararamdaman ko. I am so overwhelmed with joy [....] I feel so great na finally nakabalik ako dito, this is where I grew up. How can I be bitter when I’m surrounded by my loved ones?” she told reporters in an interview.

The former senator also reunited with her beloved 91-year-old mother.

Meanwhile, she commended the present administration for respecting the judiciary’s independence.

“Ang kasalukuyang administrasyon ay may pagrespeto sa independence ng judiciary kasi ayun naman ang lagi kong sinasabi na kung nirerespeto talaga ang independence ng judiciary, makakamit, pwedeng makamit talaga ang hustisya katulad nung nangyari ngayon,” the former Senator said.

De Lima advises critics to read first the bail order before uttering that the court’s decision was incorrect.