What Kamala Harris’ Trip to the Philippines Means for China
TimeNov 29, 2022
The Facts
As Friday marked the sixth anniversary of former Philippines senator Leila De Lima’s detention for allegedly enabling drug trades in a Filipino prison to fund her senatorial campaign, the politician filed a petition on Thursday requesting her immediate release, citing a lack of evidence.
De Lima — who previously served as justice secretary and the chair of the Human Rights Commission — claims she's being politically persecuted for her strong opposition to former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte and his war on drugs.
The Spin
Narrative A
Leila De Lima has been a political prisoner for six years, and the travesty she has endured must end immediately. The Marcos administration cannot continue the brutality of his predecessors and should release De Lima. The star witness in one of De Lima’s cases has already retracted his allegations, and the charges must be dropped.
Narrative B
Leila De Lima is a corrupt politician who damaged the Philippines for over a decade and is now being held accountable under the law. She sold out her country repeatedly, from her time as Secretary of the Department of Justice to her tenure as a senator, and plays the victim while being hostile to her own constituents.
