DETAINED Senator Leila M. De Lima is optimistic that her campaign team and supporters will trounce fake news and disinformation against her as she makes a bid for reelection in the May 9 elections. 

The opposition senator, who won a seat in 2016, has been detained since Feb. 2017 for drug-related charges. She has since been barred from participating in Senate sessions even online, but continued to file resolutions and bills.

“I rely on my campaign team, my close friends, and supporters to mount a strong campaign not only to communicate my advocacies to all Filipinos but to also dispel all disinformation and fake news propagated by sinister forces who want to prevent me from returning to the Senate and foiling their corrupt and malevolent plans,” Ms. De Lima said in a statement on Thursday. 

Ms. De Lima, who is running as part of the senatorial slate of presidential aspirant and Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo, is known for being one of President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s staunchest critics. 

After she announced her intent to run again for senator, she said several pro-Duterte pages had shared Youtube links showing misleading headlines implying she was removed from her post.

She remains at the receiving end of attacks and false news by troll farms and other sinister quarters, she added. 

“We are also utilizing the power of the internet to reach out to even more people beyond those whom we already consider as our supporters,” Ms. De Lima said. 

The official campaign period for national positions will be from Feb. 8 to May 7.

Meanwhile, Ms. De Lima filed an urgent motion on Thursday asking the court to allow her to have an online conference call with her 89-year-old mother who is currently in critical condition after testing positive for coronavirus. 

“My 89-year-old Mom, who tested positive for COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) three weeks ago, is now in critical condition in our local hospital in Iriga City. Her cardio-pulmonary systems now failing,” said Ms. De Lima in a Facebook post. “I ask for prayers.” — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR