Senate Minority Leader, Franklin Drilon, along with Senators Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV, Risa Hontiveros, Antonio Trillanes IV, filed Resolution No. 391
However, Senate President, Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III dismissed the request, saying that the request was a "propaganda." He also added that such request must be made by Senator De Lima's lawyers, not herself.
"Senator De Lima is not asking for the privilege of attending all legislative sessions or hearing, but is simply requesting for a modicum of support from the Senate to enable her to properly perform her mandate," the resolution says.
"Senator De Lima has not been convicted of any crime and is in full possession of political and civil rights, the exercise of which are only limited by the deprivation of her physical liberty," the Resolution added.
De Lima is currently detained at the PNP Custodial Center at Camp Crame for her alleged involvement in the proliferation of illegal drugs inside the New Bilibid Prison, particularly during the time of her term as Secretary of the Department of Justice.
De Lima previously wrote to the Senate President, Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III stating her request for an expression of support from the Senate for her "desire to be occasionally granted furlough by the court in charge of her detention to vote on crucial landmark legislation on a 'case-to-case' basis."
The resolution states a number of times wherein the Supreme Court (SC) also granted the request for temporary furlough by former senators. These former senators, just like De Lima, has similar non-bailable offense and were given granted temporary freedom, but with restrictions, due to humanitarian reasons.
The resolution also states that the Supreme Court has also granted temporary furloughs to former Senators Ramon "Bong" revilla, Jr. and Jinggoy Ejercito to attend some of their respective important family occasions or due personal or health reasons.
It also cited that the Supreme Court has also granted temporary liberty to former Senator Juan Ponce Enrile due to his "advanced age, poor health as well as his part and present disposition of respect for legal process, length of public service and private reputation."
The implication of the Resolution filed by the minority bloc is to grant also De Lima's request for the opportunity to be involved in the discussions of the Senate, particularly in the discourses of important matters that the Legislative branch of the government would be tackling, since the Supreme Court itself has granted a number of senators of this request in the past.
Senate President "Kiko" Pimentel III is yet to decide on the matter, with the filed resolution in hand, whether to grant De Lima her request of temporary furlough or not.
Source: GMA
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