Leila de Lima facts for kids
Leila Norma Eulalia Josefa Magistrado de Lima (born August 27, 1959) is a Filipino politician, lawyer, and human rights advocate. She has served as a representative for Mamamayang Liberal since 2025. Before this, she was a senator in the Philippines from 2016 to 2022 and the Secretary of Justice from 2010 to 2015.
Born in Iriga, Camarines Sur, de Lima studied at De La Salle University and San Beda College of Law. She became a lawyer in 1985. From 2008 to 2010, she led the Commission on Human Rights. In 2010, President Benigno Aquino III chose her to be the Secretary of Justice. She held this role until 2015, when she decided to run for the Senate. In 2016, de Lima was elected as a senator.
De Lima was known for speaking out against the government of President Rodrigo Duterte. She was held for a period starting in 2017, related to accusations from her time as justice secretary. She was recognized with the Prize for Freedom by Liberal International later that year. She was released in 2023 and was cleared of all charges in 2024. In 2025, de Lima was elected to the House of Representatives.
Quick facts for kids
Leila de Lima
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Official portrait, 2025
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| Member of the Philippine House of Representatives for Mamamayang Liberal | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed office June 30, 2025 |
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| Senator of the Philippines | |||||||||||||||||||||
| In office June 30, 2016 – June 30, 2022 |
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| 56th Secretary of Justice | |||||||||||||||||||||
| In office June 30, 2010 – October 12, 2015 |
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| President | Benigno Aquino III | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Alberto Agra (Acting) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa (Acting) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights | |||||||||||||||||||||
| In office May 19, 2008 – June 30, 2010 |
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| President | Gloria Macapagal Arroyo | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Purificacion Quisumbing | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Etta Rosales | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Born |
Leila Norma Eulalia Josefa Magistrado de Lima
August 27, 1959 Iriga, Camarines Sur, Philippines |
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| Political party | Liberal (2015–present) Mamamayang Liberal (2024–present) (party-list) |
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| Other political affiliations |
Independent (2015) Aksyon (2001–2010) |
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| Spouse | Pláridel Bohol (annulled) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Children | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Relatives | Lilia de Lima (aunt) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Alma mater | De La Salle University (AB) San Beda University (LL.B) |
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| Occupation | Politician | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Profession | Lawyer | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Signature |  |
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Contents
- Early Life and Education
- Legal Career
- Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights (2008–2010)
- Secretary of Justice (2010–2015)
- Senator (2016–2022)
- Legal Challenges and Release (2017–2024)
- After Detention (Since 2024)
- House of Representatives (Since 2025)
- Political Views
- Writings
- Personal Life
- Honors and Recognition
- See also
Early Life and Education
Leila de Lima was born on August 27, 1959, in Iriga, Camarines Sur, where she grew up. She is the oldest daughter of Vicente de Lima, a former election commissioner, and Norma Magistrado.
De Lima finished her early schooling at La Consolacion Academy, graduating as the top student. In 1980, she earned a degree in History and Political Science from De La Salle University. She then studied law at San Beda College of Law, graduating in 1985 as the second-highest-ranking student. She placed eighth in the 1985 Philippine Bar Examinations, which lawyers must pass to practice law.
Legal Career
De Lima started her legal career working for Supreme Court Justice Isagani Cruz from 1986 to 1989. After that, she worked as a private lawyer in the 1990s, focusing on election law. She also taught law at San Beda College of Law and served as secretary for the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal.
Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights (2008–2010)
Leila de Lima was appointed to lead the Commission on Human Rights from 2008 to 2010. During her time, she handled important cases, including investigations into human rights concerns. One notable case was the Maguindanao massacre in 2009, a terrible event where many people were killed.
Secretary of Justice (2010–2015)
In 2010, President Benigno Aquino III asked de Lima to become the Secretary of Justice, and she accepted. Her first major case in this role was the Manila hostage crisis, where several tourists from Hong Kong lost their lives.
Senator (2016–2022)
Senate Elections
De Lima ran for senator in the 2016 general elections as part of the Liberal Party. She received over 14 million votes and was elected, finishing in 12th place.
In 2022, de Lima sought re-election as a senator but was not successful.
Time in the Senate
As a senator, de Lima spoke out against the government's approach to fighting illegal substances and asked Congress to investigate. She called for an end to killings of people suspected of involvement with illegal substances. She believed that the fight against illegal substances should not involve violence. De Lima was concerned about the government's response to these events and warned that more innocent people could be harmed.
She led the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights. In August 2016, she started a Senate investigation into the killings and police operations related to the government's anti-illegal substance campaign.
Legal Challenges and Release (2017–2024)
Accusations and Court Cases
In 2016, accusations were made against de Lima regarding her time as Justice Secretary. These accusations involved claims of her being connected to illegal activities. She denied these claims. In September 2016, she was removed from her position as chair of the Senate Justice and Human Rights committee.
Several people who had previously testified against de Lima later changed their statements. In 2022, a person named Kerwin Espinosa said his earlier statements were not true and that he had been pressured by the police. Another witness, Rafael Ragos, also changed his testimony, saying he was forced to lie to involve de Lima. Ronnie Dayan, who was also accused, also changed his testimony in 2022. In 2023, former police officers also retracted their statements against de Lima.
Detention and Legal Steps
On February 23, 2017, a court issued an arrest warrant for de Lima related to accusations of violating laws against illegal substances. She was accused of using her position to gain money from people involved in illegal substance activities. De Lima turned herself in the next day. Many international human rights groups called her a "prisoner of conscience."
In February 2018, the Ombudsman cleared de Lima of some financial charges. The Philippine Senate also dismissed ethics complaints against her.
De Lima sought permission from the court for various reasons, such as attending a graduation or for medical reasons. Some requests were denied, with the court stating she could not be treated differently from other prisoners.
In October 2022, de Lima survived an attempted hostage situation while in detention.
Support and Calls for Release
Many groups and individuals called for de Lima's release. In March 2017, the European Parliament expressed serious concerns that the charges against her might be made up. Amnesty International considered her a "prisoner of conscience." Despite being held, de Lima continued to speak out against government policies and remained a senator.
Human Rights Watch and the Inter-Parliamentary Union also called for her release, citing a lack of sufficient evidence. She received visits from members of the European Parliament and Liberal International. In November 2017, de Lima was given the Prize for Freedom by Liberal International. She also received the Leading Global Thinker award from Foreign Policy magazine.
In 2018, de Lima was recognized as one of the "World's 50 Greatest Leaders" by Fortune Magazine. Amnesty International also gave her the first-ever "Most Distinguished Human Rights Defender" award. Many groups continued to call for her unconditional release.
Court Decisions and Release
On November 13, 2023, a court granted de Lima's request for bail on her remaining charge, allowing her to be released after six years in detention. She was released from Camp Crame that evening. After her release, de Lima held a press conference and later reunited with her family.
On June 24, 2024, the court dismissed her last charge, clearing her of all criminal cases. On the same day, another court dismissed two other cases against her. De Lima had been held for 2,321 days.
After Detention (Since 2024)
On December 4, 2023, de Lima was named the official spokesperson for the Liberal Party. In January 2024, she returned to teaching law at De La Salle University's Tañada-Diokno School of Law.
In early 2025, de Lima signed a letter with other individuals asking U.S. congressmen to vote against a bill that would sanction the International Criminal Court (ICC). She argued that such sanctions could affect other ICC investigations, like the one into the Philippine anti-illegal substance campaign.
House of Representatives (Since 2025)
Election
On September 20, 2024, de Lima accepted the lead nomination for Mamamayang Liberal, a group connected to the Liberal Party, for the 2025 Philippine House of Representatives elections. This marked her return to national politics. After the election on May 12, 2025, her party-list group received enough votes for her to become a member of the House of Representatives. De Lima stated that she would serve as an "independent opposition" member.
Role in the House
On May 14, 2025, House Speaker Martin Romualdez invited de Lima to join the prosecution team for the impeachment of Sara Duterte. Other representatives supported this invitation, noting de Lima's legal knowledge. She accepted the invitation, saying she was committed to her duty and principles, and would be fair in her role.
Political Views
De Lima has expressed her views on various national issues. She was unable to vote on extending martial law in Mindanao in 2017 due to her detention. In December 2017, she criticized the government's close ties with China, warning about potential debt issues based on what happened in other countries.
In January 2018, de Lima raised concerns about the country's increasing national debt. She also criticized the government's stance on the South China Sea dispute. She called for Senate investigations into government loans and compliance with anti-money laundering laws.
De Lima also filed resolutions to investigate Chinese firms involved in rebuilding Marawi, especially those banned by the World Bank for corruption. She also sought a probe into the increase of Chinese citizens entering the Philippines, which she believed affected Filipino employment.
She has also supported bills to prohibit early campaigning in elections, increase pensions for senior citizens, and improve pedestrian safety. She welcomed legal actions against corruption and pushed for investigations into the conditions of displaced people in Mindanao. De Lima also advocated for a calamity leave bill for workers and a bill to encourage solar energy use.
Writings
On February 22, 2018, de Lima announced an e-book called Dispatches from Crame I, which was launched the next day. It contained her statements and letters written since her detention began in 2017, along with messages from her supporters.
In June 2018, a book by her spiritual adviser, Fr. Robert Reyes, titled Prisoner of Conscience Prisoner of Hope, was released. It included different people's thoughts and conversations with de Lima during her time in detention.
On her birthday in August 2018, de Lima released her second book, Fight for Freedom and Other Writings. This book collected her speeches, letters, and notes, as well as letters of support from important figures like Vice President Leni Robredo.
Personal Life
De Lima was married to lawyer Plaridel Bohol for over thirty years before their marriage was annulled. She has two children.
Her aunt, Lilia de Lima, was a respected public servant who led the Philippine Economic Zone Authority and received the Ramon Magsaysay Award.
After her release, de Lima, who loves animals, adopted five cats that had been with her during her detention.
Honors and Recognition
- MetroBank Foundation Professorial Chair for Public Service and Governance (2010)
- Excellent Public Servant Award (2010)
- Defender of People's Rights (2010)
- “Agent of Change” Award (2010)
- Most Outstanding Alumna Award 2010 by San Beda University
- Most Outstanding Alumna Award 2011 by San Beda University
- 2016 Global Thinker Award by Foreign Policy
- Top Most Influential People for 2017 by Time Magazine
- Women Human Rights Defenders for 2017 by Amnesty International
- The 2017 Prize For Freedom by Liberal International.
- 2017 Leading Global Thinker Award
- World's 50 Greatest Leaders for 2018 by Fortune Magazine
- 2018 Southeast Asia's Women to Watch by The Diplomat
- 2018 Most Distinguished Human Rights Defender Award by Amnesty International
- 2018 Women Human Rights Defenders Under Threat recognized by Amnesty International
- 2018 Human Rights Defenders recognized at the Human Rights Defender World Summit in Paris
See also
In Spanish: Leila de Lima para niños
- List of Filipino Nobel laureates and nominees
