

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.
“Sabi niya sa akin, huwag mo na akong iwanan. Dito ka na. I have to say, ‘Sige Mommy, hindi na kita iiwanan’,” de Lima recounted.
PANOORIN: Dating Senadora Leila de Lima pauwi na sa Iriga City, Bicol | via RH 06 @sherwinalfaro #SamaSamaTayoPilipino pic.twitter.com/yLDBXYNtQX
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) November 15, 2023
Mga residente sa lungsod ng Iriga naghahanda sa pag-uwi ngayong hapon ni Former Sen. Leila de Lima @AttyLeiladeLima | RH 18 Ruel Saldico#RapidoHatawBalita#SamaSamaTayoPilipino
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) November 15, 2023
LIVE: https://t.co/hpF93zItkt pic.twitter.com/k1UuWrxnnq
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.
“At saka yung mga sinasabi na hindi nila nagustuhan o hindi tama yung desisyon. Sigurado ako na hindi pa nila nababasa yung bail decision. Basahin muna nila bago sila magkomento, makukumbinsi sila na tama yung naging decision ng pag-grant ng motion for reconsideration,” she said.