By Gabriela Baron
After failing to secure a reelection, detained Senator Leila de Lima conceded defeat in the May 2022 polls.
In a lengthy Twitter post, de Lima said she did not have any regret serving the country and seeking another Senate term despite her detention.
“As I have said, win or lose, it is the compassion for each other and love for our country that matter – love that propels our shared causes, no matter the cost or consequences,” de Lima wrote.
“I don’t have any regrets. I am still and forever will be thankful for the opportunity to serve our countrymen. Mapapagod pero hindi susuko. Magagalit, pero hindi mauubos ang pagmamahal sa bayan. Mangangamba at mag-aalala, pero hindi maduduwag na ipaglaban ang tama at makaratungan,” she added, vowing to continue fighting for truth, justice, and freedom.
De Lima also thanked those who helped her with her reelection bid.
“Sa inyo pong lahat na bumoto, nangampanya, nagbahay-bahay, nagkabit ng mga tarp, namigay ng flyers, at nag-ambag ng oras, enerhiya at talento, ang aking walang hanggang pasasalamat,” she continued.
To those disheartened by election results, de Lima encouraged her supporters to “move forward and continue.”
“Kailangan nating umusad at magpatuloy. Dahil walang mangyayari kung magmumukmok lang at iiwan ang nasimulan. Paunti-unti, kailangang mag-ipon ng lakas para makabangon mula sa panghihina at pagkadismaya, at buhatin ang sarili mula sa bigat na nadarama,” she added.
Based on partial and unofficial results, de Lima ranked 23rd in the race for the top 12.
De Lima is behind reelectionist Senator Richard Gordon and former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, who ranked 22nd and 21st, respectively.
The senator, who was part of the minority block of the Senate, has been detained at Camp Crame in Quezon City since February 2017 on drug charges she has repeatedly denied. – ag
