Senator Leila De Lima shot back at President Rodrigo Duterte in a press conference held on Thursday, August 18,2016.
“How does one defend oneself when the attacker is immune and has all the backing of executive power to support him in his personal attack. This is no less than abuse and misuse of executive power,” the emotional De Lima said.
“I don’t think the Constitution has ever contemplated such abuse of power on such scale as it assumes every president to conduct himself in a manner befitting the office he holds. It seems this is not the case for this President,” she added.
“I have always been loyal to my oath as a public servant. I am not the enemy here. stop portraying me as one. Enough with the intimidation and shaming. Let us go back to the order brought about by the rule of law and simple respect for our fellow man,” she said.
The female senator also asked the President to spare her family. “If you are bent on destroying me, Mr. President. Please have the decency to spare my colleagues, friends and family.”