Bishop Soc: It is unchristian to find secret pleasure in the sufferings of others. May we recognize in ourselves the awful power of sin and our need for God's help!
"I pray for the healing of our land and for the reign of harmony."
Bishop Socrates Villages reacts to the arrest of Sen. De Lima: Let all who have been charged be accorded their fair day in the court of laws.
Carlos says arrangements can be made for De Lima to continue working as a senator while inside her jail cell.
Senior Superintendent Dionardo Carlos says De Lima will be detained either in the former cell of the Tiamzons or the cell of Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile.
"I have never met any of the inmates," says Alonte at a press conference this morning. "I am a very strong supporter of the president's campaign against drugs and corruption."
Binan Rep. Alonte also held a press conference this morning to deny Aguirre's allegations.
Madrigal, who is abroad, calls Aguirre's accusations "baseless, malicious and outright lies."
"This morning, Vitaliano Aguirre II, maliciously claimed I somehow attempted to bribe one of his witnesses in a case of which I not only know nothing, but have no reason to be interested in whatsoever. I have been living the life of a quiet citizen far removed from the political mudslinging Mr. Aguirre apparently enjoys."
Meanwhile, former Sen. Madrigal has released a statement denying that she bribed inmates to recant their testimonies against De Lima.
"This is ridiculous, a brazen lie. They have come up with brazen lies to destroy me."
De Lima also says Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre's claim that former Sen. Jamby Madrigal and a Laguna representative went to the Bilibid prison to bribe inmates to recant their testimony against De Lima is "preposterous."
De Lima says she's wondering why Madrigal's name has been tagged. "I only met her once!"
De Lima said former President Aquino called her this morning to ask for a run through of the legal situation.
She said she insisted to go home last night to see her children. "My eldest child is a special needs child."
She says it feels "surreal" as she is at Camp Crame on false charges.
Sen. Leila de Lima now tells ANC that she is fine, as she has prepared herself psychologically for the arrest. Still, she finds it difficult to accept that from being a secretary of justice, she is now an accused. She also insists that she is innocent.
Sen. De Lima is now being taken to the PNP Custodial Center.
Earlier when she was still in the Senate premises, she recorded a video statement on her arrest:
She is now set to leave the premises and taken back to Camp Crame.
De Lima entered the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court but returned to her coaster after a short while.
Sen. Leila de Lima's convoy arrives at the Muntinlupa RTC.
Sen. De Lima is planning to hold a press conference later today. We will be dishing out updates here.
Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, who was detained due to plunder charges by De Lima, tells CNN Philippines that there's no such thing as a political prisoner. "You are a prisoner. Period."
Enrile is at Camp Aguinaldo to commemorate the #EDSAat31 anniversary.
