Liberal Party calls on Senate leadership to support De Lima

In defense of its member Senator Leila de Lima, the Liberal Party on Thursday called on the Senate leadership to uphold the independence of the chamber by supporting a member who is doing her mandated job, but is being criticized by the chief executive.

President Rodrigo Duterte has criticized De Lima for "repeatedly slandering" him over claims of extrajudicial killings in connection with campaign against illegal drugs.

De Lima has called for a Senate probe into alleged summary killings of durg suspects.

In a statement, the LP said, "Senator Leila de Lima is doing her job as a senator of the Republic," the statement sent to media reads .

"She deserves support and not condemnation; respect and not gutter language;  she and our people deserve the facts, not innuendo.

"Nakakalungkot ang mga salita at mga pratang na naninira sa kaniyang pagkatao at bilang lingkod bayan," it added.

The LP is calling on the Senate President to show support to De Lima, even as it said that the Party stands for a free and open debate for due process of law and respect and process of law and respect and civility in public disclosure .

Duterte on Wednesday identified De Lima as the human rights crusader who had repeatedly "slandered" him in connection with alleged extra-judicial killings.

"You want to know the name? De Lima," he said in a press conference in Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.

Duterte said De Lima once vowed that she would prove that he, as Davao City mayor, was involved in extra-judicial killings in the city and to the vigilante group Davao Death squad, the so-called DDS.

Duterte said he was still waiting for De Lima to prove her claim. — LBG, GMA News