Rappler Talk: Leila de Lima on justice and elections in the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines – Former justice secretary Leila De Lima was appointed justice secretary in 2010 where she oversaw the filing of cases against politicians over their alleged misuse of their pork barrel. Among the most high-profile of these cases include the plunder charges against Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada, and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.

De Lima also ordered the probe against Muslim rebels over the death of members of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

In August, De Lima was put in the spotlight when Iglesia ni Cristo members asked her resignation following her decision to investigate charges of illegal detention filed against the INC leadership by an expelled minister.

Despite these protests, her poll numbers remain high. A Social Weather Stations survey conducted in September 2-5 ranked her 7th in the list of senatorial candidates voters would choose. Meanwhile in the latest Pulse Asia senatorial preference survey, 35.2% of respondents said they would vote for the justice secretary, putting her within striking range of the “Magic 12.” She ranks 9th-14th in the latest Pulse Asia poll.

Rappler talked to former justice secretary Leila de Lima about her 5-year stint as a Cabinet member, leaving the justice department to run for a national post, and her plans for 2016. Watch the interview here. – Rappler.com