MANILA, Philippines — Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima on Wednesday thanked the late president Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino 3rd as she paid tribute to him on his death anniversary.
"One of my regrets in life is that I was not able to talk to PNoy more after his term ended because of the circumstances behind my control", de Lima said in a statement.
Recalling her detention that started in 2017, she said Aquino was able to visit her several times but that their catch-up "was very limited."
De Lima was detained until her release on bail in 2023. Her detention stemmed from drug-related charges, filed in court in 2017, of which she has been cleared.
"I was still in detention when PNoy died in 2021. It was deeply saddening to have lost a great leader and dear friend. What made it even more heartbreaking was that I was not able to attend his wake to pay my final respects", she said.
The lawmaker said today "is even more meaningful" as she also remembered that she was cleared of all the charges against her exactly two years ago.
"While I may not be able to thank him personally anymore, my deepest gratitude for giving me strength and making me feel back then that I was not alone is always included in my prayers and remembrance of him", she said in Filipino.
"There are many things that can be said about PNoy, but I can summarize it to being good, good humored, simple, compassionate and most of all, being a faithful leader who sacrificed himself to serve Filipinos and value the interest of the Philippines", she said.
"Thank you, PNoy", said de Lima who closed her statement with "We miss you, Sir...".
