De Lima prays for freedom to fulfill Lenten vow

policewoman guards Philippine Senator Leila De Lima as she gestures a sign that means "Laban" (fight) sign after appearing at a court on drug related charges in Muntinlupa, February 24, 2017. Erik De Castro, Reuters

MANILA - Senator Leila De Lima is appealing to be granted liberty before the Holy Week in April so she could fulfill a panata or religious vow.

"I am solemnly praying that I will be released before the Holy Week. It has been my vow that, every year, I will join the Good Friday procession at our parish in Bicol, the Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Iriga City," De Lima said in a handwritten note issued from her cell Wednesday.

"Samahan n'yo po ako sa panalangin na ito (Join me in this prayer)," she told the public.

De Lima, who is detained at Camp Crame for charges she has repeatedly denied, wrote the note on Tuesday, the same day that the Supreme Court held the first round of oral arguments on the senator's bid to have her arrest warrant recalled.

She also has a separate plea to quash the warrant at the sala of the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court Branch 204 Judge Juanita Guerrero.

Guerrero ordered De Lima's arrest for alleged involvement in the Bilibid drug trade last February 23. The senator was taken into custody the next day.

Source : http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/16/17/de-lima-prays-for-freedom-to-fulfill-lenten-vow