Should Sen. Leila De Lima be released from detention?

By RG San Luis

Mareng Winnie on the single political detainee of the Duterte administration, Leila De Lima.

For the sake of argument, let's say that what Monsod claims are all true. Should Sen. Leila De Lima be released from detention?

Yes, if the cycle of political vendetta is to end and the reform of the justice system is to begin.

The problem with De Lima is she allowed herself to be used as a pawn by her boss then, PeNoy. She was the hatchet person of PeNoy who caused the detention of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona. Senators Enrile, Estrada and Revilla followed shortly.

She then proceeded to protect the prominent members of the Liberal Party who were involved in the pork barrel scam and was one of the key officials who allowed the proliferation of the drug trade by accepting bribes in her capacity as Justice Secretary. She may not have handled the drugs directly but she was complicit in the conspiracy to allow the distribution of drugs by those who paid bribes to her.

The most explicit indication of her guilt is her claim she didn't have a relationship with her driver-bodyguard at the beginning, only to backtrack in the middle of the controversy and admit that she differed from the frailties of a woman to Monsod herself in her public affairs program.

The photos and videos of her visiting the National Penitentiary and mingling with convicted drug lords are also very incriminating based on the testimony given by the convicts themselves.

The problem with law enforcement agencies in the country is the evidence is gathered after the commission of the crime and not while the crime is being committed. This speaks volumes about the complicity of appointed and career government officials in corruption. There is no independent anti-corruption body which is tough enough to put the fear of God in those who are guilty or as a deterrent to those thinking of committing corrupt acts.

The lack of adherence to the rule of law is one reason why the country can't attract foreign investors. The justice system is rigged in favor of those who are in power in both their public and private capacities.

It cannot be denied also that during her incumbency, De Lima had the gall to go against the Supreme Court because PeNoy held the threat of impeachment over the Justice's heads. The appointment of Conchita Carpio-Morales as Ombudsman and Maria Lourdes Sereno as Chief Justice empowered De Lima to go after the political enemies of the Aquino administration with impunity.

De Lima was a willing participant in the power games being played at the highest level of government during her time. Her detention is part of the consequence of her actions. The greatest fear of her allies in the opposition is she might not be up to the rigors of detention and might just decide to sing and spill the beans on them if only to win her freedom back.