Leila de Lima

Leila de Lima, born on August twenty-seventh, nineteen fifty-nine, in Iriga, Camarines Sur, is a prominent Filipino politician, lawyer, human rights activist, and law professor. She has made significant contributions to Philippine politics, serving as the representative for Mamamayang Liberal since two thousand twenty-five. Her political journey includes a notable tenure as a senator from two thousand sixteen to two thousand twenty-two and as the secretary of justice from two thousand ten to two thousand fifteen.

De Lima's educational background includes degrees from De La Salle University and San Beda College of Law, where she earned her law degree. After passing the Philippine Bar Examinations in nineteen eighty-five, she began her legal career as a staff member for Associate Justice Isagani Cruz. Her commitment to human rights was evident during her time as chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights from two thousand eight to two thousand ten, under the presidency of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

In two thousand ten, she was appointed by President Benigno Aquino III as secretary of justice, a role she held until two thousand fifteen when she sought a Senate seat. Elected in two thousand sixteen under the Koalisyon ng Daang Matuwid, de Lima became known for her vocal criticism of President Rodrigo Duterte's administration. However, her political career faced challenges when she was arrested in two thousand seventeen on charges related to the New Bilibid Prison drug trafficking scandal.

Despite her arrest, de Lima continued to advocate for human rights and was awarded the Prize for Freedom by Liberal International later that year. She remained in pretrial detention until a court granted her bail in two thousand twenty-three, allowing her to serve out her remaining term as senator and file legislation. Following her release, she successfully ran as the first nominee of the Mamamayang Liberal party-list in the two thousand twenty-five House of Representatives elections.