Despite Pulse Asia poll, De Lima remains undecided on 2016 plans

Despite her inclusion in the latest survey on preferred senatorial bets, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima is still undecided on becoming a lawmaker.

In an interview Tuesday, De Lima said she welcomed the Pulse Asia survey showing that 35.3 percent of respondents want her to become a senator, but added she would rather focus on her current duties as head of the Department of Justice (DOJ).

"It's really humbling na kino-consider ako sa survey and naipapasok diyan sa Top 15 but really I don't think it's the proper time or the right time to decide," said De Lima. "Marami pa tayong trabaho. Marami pang hinaharap na challenges sa department at walang katapusang trabaho araw-araw."

The Pulse Asia survey was conducted between September 8 to 15 among 1,200 respondents.

De Lima said President Benigno Aquino III has not yet approached her to ask if she was interested in seeking a senatorial post. "I suppose there will come a time na tatanungin ako ni Presidente pero hindi pa siya nagtatanong," she said.

De Lima said she has yet to decide on what position to seek after her stint at the DOJ.

"Ang attitude ko talaga bahala na kung ano ang susunod... whether it's in another branch of government, executive o sa ibang branch o out of government. Hindi ko alam iyan kung alin doon ang mangyayari by 2016 para sa akin," she said.

Before her appointment as DOJ secretary in 2010, De Lima headed the Commission on Human Rights under the Arroyo administration. Before that, she worked as an election lawyer.
 
De Lima is the daughter of former Comelec Commissioner Vicente de Lima.

Current Commission on Election (Comelec) chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. has earlier voiced his support for De Lima to be his successor when he retires.

De Lima, however, hinted she might not be interested in seeking the top Comelec post. —KBK, GMA News