Leila tastes freedom — for three hours

After being in detention for over two years now, Senator Leila de Lima was granted a three-hour furlough — a temporary pass from prison — to be able to attend her son’s thanksgiving party after passing the 2018 Bar Examinations.

Photo credit: Philippine Star

De Lima was actually allowed furloughs on two previous instances: the first was in March 2018 for a medical check-up for her liver condition; the second was to allow her to cast her vote during the May 13, 2019 midterm elections.

Her furlough on Sunday (June 16, 2019) was her first to be with her family outside of detention.

But wasn’t it unfair to other detainees that she was granted such privilege? I am sure there are thousands of other detention prisoners — individuals whose liberties have been cut while their cases are pending in court — who were deprived the opportunity to spend precious moments in similar occasions with their loved ones.

I guess this reflects the sad state of our justice system.

The poor simply cannot enjoy what a detained Senator like Leila de Lima is privileged to have.