Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — President Rodrigo Duterte has remained silent on the arrest of one of his well-known detractors, Sen. Leila de Lima.
De Lima was arrested 8 a.m. on Feb. 17 at the Senate, after the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 204 found merit in drug charges filed against her. Judge Juanita Guerrero ordered her arrest and later her detention at the PNP Custodial Center.
The President had two public events in Davao: a turnover ceremony of a drug center in Samal Island, and the re-launch of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission.
Duterte evaded making a single remark on De Lima.
He has been very vocal about his displeasure against the senator, as their bickering traces back years ago when Duterte was still Davao City mayor.
When he won the Presidency at the May 2016 elections, Duterte publicly pushed for De Lima’s prosecution over drug charges, and even wanting to see her in jail.
However, Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said there is nothing intriguing about the President’s seeming self-imposed gag order.
“There’s so many things to be concerned about. For example, here, the Bangsamoro Transition Commission thing. There are really a number of concerns. It really should not be taken as indicative of anything,” he said.
Shortly after her arrest, De Lima released a strongly-worded statement against the President, which made rounds on social media.
She went on to rant about Duterte, largely blaming him for orchestrating her indictment and arrest.
However, Abella said the statement may have just been the result of some stress the Senator is experiencing.
“First and foremost, she really is just entitled to her own opinion, we understand she’s under great stress,” he said. “She’s liable to say a lot of things and that maybe slightly exaggerated.”
