Press Release
May 9, 2019

De Lima excited to vote, releases #Kodigoko for May 13 polls

Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has revealed her personal choices for senators in the upcoming May 13 midterm elections as she released her #Kodigoko bearing the names of the eight-man Senate slate of united opposition Otso Diretso.

De Lima, a human rights and social justice champion, also said she feels excited to cast her votes in next week's elections even as she thanked the courts handling her trumped-up drug cases for respecting her constitutionally-guaranteed right to suffrage.

"I'm excited to cast my vote on May 13 and am looking forward to vote for honest and courageous candidates who, without any doubt, would keep the independence of the Senate and would resist to the President's flawed policies," she said.

"Even while in detention, I have watched how these eight honorable indviduals carried themselves with dignity and hurdled the challenges and rigors of the campaign. I was impressed before, as I am now, and they surely get my vote of confidence," she added.

Last April 30, the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 205 has granted De Lima's urgent motion for furlough allowing her to vote under the Commission on Elections' "Escorted Detainee Voting System" on May 13.

De Lima will go to and cast her vote at the Polling Precinct No. 0648A in the Santa Rita School, Paranaque City. However, she was ordered "to refrain from giving interviews before and after casting her vote" scheduled between 12 noon until 2pm.

In her Kodigo sa Balota, the former justice secretary names Rep. Gary Alejano (#5), Sen. Bam Aquino (#9), human rights lawyer Chel Diokno (#25), civic leader Sam Gutoc (#36), former solicitor general Florin Hilbay (#37), election lawyer Romy Macalintal (#41), former senator Mar Roxas (#57), and ex-Rep. Erin Tañada (#59).

"Ito ang boto ko para sa marangal, makatao at maka-Diyos na lipunan. Sila ang kumakatawan ng tunay na magtatanggol sa bayan at kahit kailanman ay hindi nabahiran ng anumang anomalya, lalo ng pagnanakaw sa taumbayan," she said.

De Lima, the first prominent political prisoner under the Duterte regime, has also enlisted the support of the Filipino electorate to vote straight for senatorial candidates of the united opposition Otso Diretso.

"I'm vouching for the integrity and competence of Otso Diretso candidates and I have no doubt that with their remarkable track record and competence, they will be our strong voices and our reliable defenders in the Senate," she said.

It may be recalled that in an open court last April 12, Judge Amelia Fabros Corpuz of Branch 256 has also granted De Lima's petition for furlough to vote under "escorted detainee voting system" on May 13 midterm elections. A written Order was released recently.

Of the three trumped-up illegal drug trade charges filed against De Lima, two are being handled by Branch 205 while one is in Branch 256.

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