De Lima elated after son passes Bar Exam

Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima was very elated to learn the good news that her son, Vincent Joshua Bohol, has passed the 2018 Bar Examinations, saying that it was her happiest day even while in detention.

A proud mother who is also a lawyer herself, De Lima extended her congratulations to her youngest son who followed in her footsteps.

"Sweetest congratulations, dear Vincent! So very happy! My happiest day in more than two (2) years. Praise God!" she said in a handwritten note addressed to him.

In a separate statement, the lady Senator from Bicol also thanked the Lord for guiding her son and blessing her family.

"A most glorious day for me and our family," she said. "Glory to you, o Lord! Thank you... thank you... thank you."

Vincent, who graduated from the law school of San Beda College Alabang in June 3 last year, is included in the list of 1,800 bar passers that the Supreme Court released on May 3.

Roughly a month before Vincent's graduation in May 2018, De Lima asked the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court Branches 205 and 206 to grant her furlough to attend his graduation rites.

"A family member's graduation is regarded as a milestone event in every Filipino family. To be personally present in such a special occasion is more than a compelling duty on the part of the accused De Lima as a mother," she said in her motion.

Unfortunately, the court rejected the Senator's motion thereby preventing her from attending her son's graduation. The court sustained the prosecution's arguments that her presence would supposedly disrupt the commencement exercises and that the Senator is allegedly a "high flight risk."

De Lima, an alumna of San Beda College of Law who placed 8th in the 1985 bar examinations, continues to issue statements in reaction to various issues, including personal matters, despite her continued detention on absurd drug charges.