Leila de Lima facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Leila de Lima
Official portrait, 2025
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives for Mamamayang Liberal
Incumbent
Assumed office June 30, 2025
Senator of the Philippines
In office June 30, 2016 – June 30, 2022
Senate positions Chair of the Senate Electoral Reforms and People's Participation Committee In office July 25, 2016 – July 24, 2018 Preceded by Koko Pimentel Succeeded by Koko Pimentel Chair of the Senate Justice and Human Rights Committee In office July 25, 2016 – September 19, 2016 Preceded by Koko Pimentel Succeeded by Dick Gordon
56th Secretary of Justice
In office June 30, 2010 – October 12, 2015
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
President	Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
Preceded by	Purificacion Quisumbing
Succeeded by	Etta Rosales
Personal details
Born	Leila Norma Eulalia Josefa Magistrado de Lima (1959-08-27) August 27, 1959 (age 65) Iriga, Camarines Sur, Philippines
Political party	Liberal (2015–present) Mamamayang Liberal (2024–present) (party-list)
Other political affiliations	Independent (2010–2015) Aksyon (2001–2010)
Spouse	Pláridel Bohol (annulled)
Children	2
Relatives	Lilia de Lima (aunt)
Alma mater	De La Salle University (AB) San Beda University (LL.B)
Occupation	Politician
Profession	Lawyer
Signature

Leila Norma Eulalia Josefa Magistrado de Lima (born August 27, 1959) is a Filipino politician, lawyer, and human rights activist. She is a member of the Philippine House of Representatives. Before this, she was a senator from 2016 to 2022 and the Secretary of Justice from 2010 to 2015.

De Lima was born in Iriga, Camarines Sur. She studied at De La Salle University and the San Beda College of Law. After passing the bar exam in 1985, she started her career as a lawyer. From 2008 to 2010, she was the head of the Commission on Human Rights.

In 2010, President Benigno Aquino III appointed her as Secretary of Justice. In 2016, she was elected to the Senate. De Lima was known for being a strong critic of President Rodrigo Duterte's government.

In 2017, she was arrested and held in detention. Many international groups called her a "prisoner of conscience," meaning they believed she was jailed for her beliefs. She was released in 2023 after more than six years. In 2025, she was elected to the House of Representatives.

Early Life and Education

Leila de Lima was born on August 27, 1959, in Iriga, Camarines Sur. She is the oldest daughter of Vicente de Lima, who worked for the Commission on Elections, and Norma Magistrado.

She was an excellent student. She graduated as the valedictorian (top student) of her class at La Consolacion Academy. 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, where she graduated as the salutatorian (second-highest in her class) in 1985. She placed eighth in the 1985 Philippine Bar Examinations.

Career in Law

De Lima began her law career working for Supreme Court Justice Isagani Cruz from 1986 to 1989. Later, she became a private lawyer, specializing in laws about elections.

She also taught law at San Beda College of Law for several years. From 1993 to 1995, she worked as a secretary for the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal, which handles election-related issues for the House of Representatives.

Government Service

Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights (2008–2010)

In 2008, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo appointed de Lima as the head of the Commission on Human Rights. The commission's job is to protect the rights of people in the Philippines. During her two years there, she worked on important cases, including the Maguindanao massacre in 2009.

Secretary of Justice (2010–2015)

In 2010, President Benigno Aquino III asked her to become the Secretary of Justice, and she accepted. As the head of the Department of Justice, she was in charge of the country's legal system. One of her first major cases was the Manila hostage crisis.

Senator of the Philippines (2016–2022)

De Lima in August 2016, giving a speech about the importance of human rights.

De Lima ran for senator in the 2016 elections and won, finishing in 12th place with over 14 million votes.

As a senator, de Lima was a vocal critic of the government's policies under President Rodrigo Duterte. She called for investigations into the violence happening across the country and urged for an end to killings. In a speech at the Senate, she said that the problems of the country could not be solved with violence.

She chaired the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights and led an inquiry into the government's actions. She ran for reelection in 2022 but did not win.

Detention and Trial (2017–2024)

Senator Leila de Lima at the Senate in Pasay on February 24, 2017, the day of her arrest.

In 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte made serious accusations against de Lima. In February 2017, she was arrested and charged with breaking the law. She was accused of being involved in illegal activities while she was Secretary of Justice. De Lima denied all the accusations. She turned herself in to the police on February 24, 2017.

Many international human rights groups, like Amnesty International, called her a "prisoner of conscience." They believed the charges against her were made up because she was a critic of the government.

Witnesses Change Their Stories

Years later, several key witnesses changed their testimonies.

• In April 2022, a witness named Kerwin Espinosa took back his statements. He said he was forced by the police to speak against de Lima.
• In May 2022, Rafael Ragos, another important witness, also recanted his testimony. He claimed he was forced by the former Justice Secretary to lie.
• Ronnie Dayan, another person accused with de Lima, also took back his testimony in May 2022.

These changes weakened the case against her.

Release and Acquittal

After being held in detention for over six years, a court granted de Lima's request for bail on November 13, 2023. She was released from Camp Crame that evening.

On June 24, 2024, a judge dismissed the final case against her. This meant she was acquitted, or found not guilty, of all charges. She was in detention for a total of 2,321 days.

Return to Politics

After her release, de Lima became the spokesperson for the Liberal Party. She also returned to teaching law at De La Salle University.

In September 2024, de Lima announced her return to national politics. She ran for a seat in the 2025 Philippine House of Representatives elections as the main nominee for Mamamayang Liberal, a group connected to the Liberal Party. Her party won enough votes to get a seat, making her a member of the 20th Congress.

In May 2025, House Speaker Martin Romualdez invited de Lima to be part of the prosecution team in the impeachment of Sara Duterte. She accepted the invitation, saying she was committed to her duty.

Political Views

Throughout her career, de Lima has focused on human rights, justice, and holding the government accountable.

• She has criticized the government for its close relationship with China and for taking on large loans.
• She has called for investigations into government spending and has pushed for laws to protect the environment, such as promoting solar energy.
• She has filed resolutions to help senior citizens, protect pedestrians, and give workers paid leave during calamities.
• She supported the ouster of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno being done through a proper impeachment process, not a quo warranto petition.

Personal Life

De Lima was married to lawyer Plaridel Bohol, and they have two children. Their marriage was later annulled.

Her aunt, Lilia de Lima, was the head of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority and is a winner of the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award.

De Lima is a dog lover. After her release, she adopted five cats that had kept her company during her time in detention at Camp Crame.

Awards and Recognition

De Lima has received many awards for her work in public service and human rights.

• Most Outstanding Alumna Award by San Beda University (2010 and 2011)
• Global Thinker Award by Foreign Policy (2016)
• Top 100 Most Influential People by Time Magazine (2017)
• Prize For Freedom by Liberal International (2017)
• World's 50 Greatest Leaders by Fortune Magazine (2018)
• Most Distinguished Human Rights Defender Award by Amnesty International (2018)

See also

In Spanish: Leila de Lima para niños

• List of Filipino Nobel laureates and nominees