Senator Panfilo Lacson had enough with US politician Patrick Leahy’s call to free Senator Leila De Lima.
On December 29, Leahy made a response to the Duterte admin asking them why they’re planning to require Americans to get a visa before entering the Philippines as a response to the entry ban of the US against the accusers of De Lima instead of just freeing the lady senator.
“Rather than responding by irrationally threatening to deny visas to American citizens, the Duterte government should either release Senator De Lima immediately or provide her the fair, public trial she is entitled to,” Leahy said in a statement.
Leahy also urged the government to drop their charges against Rappler CEO Maria Ressa saying that she’s “a courageous Filipino exercising her right of free expression,”
Lacson expressed annoyance after reading Leahy’s statement and told the American senator to respect the courts of the Philippines.
The Filipino Senator made the said message to Leahy all-caps.
“NAKAKAPIKON KA NA MR. LEAHY! RESPECT OUR COURTS. OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM MAY NOT BE PERFECT BUT SO ARE YOURS,”
NAKAKAPIKON KA NA MR. LEAHY! RESPECT OUR COURTS. OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM MAY NOT BE PERFECT BUT SO ARE YOURS.
US senator tells Duterte admin: Free De Lima instead of denying Americans of visa https://t.co/w8f48xlRS2 via @inquirerdotnet
— PING LACSON (@iampinglacson) December 29, 2019
When Lacson’s follower told him that it’s the right of the US to ban anyone they want, the Filipino senator said that Leahy’s action is not already in scope of their sovereignty.
Is it their sovereign right to deny entry of some Filipino officials into the US? Yes! Is it their sovereign right to tell our courts to dismiss the case against Sen de Lima and release her? No!
Is it their sovereign right to deny entry of some Filipino officials into the US? Yes! Is it their sovereign right to tell our courts to dismiss the case against Sen de Lima and release her? No!
— PING LACSON (@iampinglacson) December 29, 2019
A few days ago, the camp of Leahy claimed that the entry-ban against Filipino government officials involved in Sen. De Lima’s detention was already signed by Pres. Donald Trump as part of 2020 US budget.
As a response, Malacanang said that they’re going to require all Americans of getting a visa before entering the Philippine territory.
President Duterte also banned Leahy from visiting the Philippines.