International embassies in the Philippines have welcomed the temporary release of former senator Leila de Lima on Monday, November 13 after nearly seven years of detention.
In a Facebook post, the U.S. Embassy to the Philippines welcomed the release of de Lima "after nearly seven years of detention on politically motivated drug charges."
"Senator De Lima’s release follows her acquittal in two out of three cases. The United States urges the Philippines to resolve the remaining case against her in a manner that is consistent with its international human rights obligations and commitments," its post read.
The statement was echoed by the Embassy of Canada in the Philippines who likewise welcomed the Muntinlupa court's "decision to grant bail for former Senator Leila de Lima, ending six years of pre-trial incarceration."
EU Ambassador to the Philippines Luc Véron, meanwhile, wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that he was "very pleased by the news of Atty. Leila de Lima's release."
"A significant step for rule of law in the Philippines. A positive turn in the pursuit of justice! I hope that resolution of the remaining charges will be accelerated," Véron said.
British Ambassador to Manila Laure Beaufils said the "United Kingdom welcomes that Atty. Leila de Lima has been released on bail after six years." She described the court's ruling as "a significant step for rule of law in the Philippines."
"We will continue to follow her case closely and look forward to seeing the remaining charges against her resolved quickly in accordance with Philippine law," Beaufils wrote on X.
US Ambassador to Manila MaryKay Carlson also welcomed the former senator's release.
"We continue to follow her case closely and look forward to seeing the remaining charges against her resolved in accordance with Philippine law," Carlson said.
De Lima was granted to post bail for her third and final pending drug case.
The United States welcomes former Philippine Senator Leila de Lima’s release on bail after nearly seven years of detention on politically motivated drug charges. Senator De Lima’s release follows her acquittal in two out of three cases. The United States urges the Philippines to resolve the remaining case against her in a manner that is consistent with its international human rights obligations and commitments.
ANADA, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States welcomed the temporary release of former senator Leila de Lima on Monday and hoped for the speedy resolution of her cases in accordance with Philippine law.
The Embassy of Canada in the Philippines turned to X (formerly Twitter) to welcome the Muntinlupa court's "decision to grant bail for former Senator Leila de Lima, ending six years of pre-trial incarceration."
"We will continue to follow her situation closely, with the expectation of rapid resolution of proceedings in the case against her," the embassy said.
"Canada expects her case will be concluded in full conformity with the laws of the Philippines, and in line with the Philippines' international human rights obligations," the embassy added.
EU Ambassador to the Philippines Luc Véron also wrote on X that he was "very pleased by the news of Atty. Leila de Lima's release."
"A significant step for rule of law in the Philippines. A positive turn in the pursuit of justice! I hope that resolution of the remaining charges will be accelerated," Véron said.
British Ambassador to Manila Laure Beaufils said the "United Kingdom welcomes that Atty. Leila de Lima has been released on bail after six years."
She described the court's ruling as "a significant step for rule of law in the Philippines."
"We will continue to follow her case closely and look forward to seeing the remaining charges against her resolved quickly in accordance with Philippine law," Beaufils wrote on X.
US Ambassador to Manila MaryKay Carlson said also welcomed the former senator's release.
"We continue to follow her case closely and look forward to seeing the remaining charges against her resolved in accordance with Philippine law," Carlson said.
