MANILA – Sen. Leila de Lima was conferred this year’s Prize for Freedom award by Liberal International for her “exceptional contribution to the advancement of human rights” in the country.
De Lima was the second Filipino to receive the award after former president Corazon Aquino in 1987.
Her son Israel received the award on the senator’s behalf during the awarding ceremony in Novotel Manila in Quezon City on Saturday.
In her acceptance speech, delivered by brother Vicente “Vicboy” de Lima II, she acknowledged former presidents Corazon Aquino, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Benigno Aquino III, who have influenced her life.
“I find inspiration in the grace, strength, wisdom, and courage (former president Corazon Aquino) had displayed in the face of various adversities, including personal tragedies. She was, and always will be, the epitome of a world-renowned advocate of democracy, peace and the empowerment of women,” de Lima said.
The senator thanked Macapagal-Arroyo, now Speaker of the House of Representatives, for appointing her as chairwoman of the Commission on Human Rights.
“Everything that I have done since then – in championing human rights, fighting for the rule of law, and defending against corruption, abuse and impunity – has its roots in that fateful appointment,” said de Lima.
Moreover, de Lima thanked Benigno Aquino III “for his faith in me, then and now.”
“God truly works in mysterious ways … I ended up serving five of my most fulfilling years in public service under a president I did not even know personally before my appointment as his secretary of Justice,” she said.
“Our faith in the rule of law, in holding public officials accountable, in the importance of truth and selfless public service, and in defending human rights were so aligned that it didn’t matter that we’ve known each other for such a relatively short time,” she added.
Senators Francis Pangilinan and Paolo Benigno Aquino IV congratulated their colleague for the distinction.
“The award makes the most sense in the face of the most nonsensical excuses and twisted legal reasoning used to keep her in jail,” said Pangilinan.
Her detention on “fabricated” drug charges at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center has limited de Lima from fully exercising her function as a senator, the Liberal Party president said.
“She is not allowed access to the internet. She has no access to a laptop. She has limited access to television,” he noted.
Senator Aquino said de Lima continues to fight for human rights and defend justice from behind bars.
“In her fight to uphold the rights of every Filipino, she talked truth to power and paid with her freedom. Despite the challenges she is facing, Sen. Leila de Lima continues to be a strong and reliable defender of Filipinos.”
Other Prize for Freedom recipients include former Argentinian president Raul Alfonsin (1985), former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto (1989), and Nobel Peace Prize laureate and State Counselor of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi (1995), among others./PN
