De Lima rejects alliance with Duterte bloc: ‘Obstructionist sila’

June 2, 2025 , 09:33 PM

(June 2, 2025) – Representative-elect Leila De Lima on Monday firmly ruled out the possibility of joining forces with a potential “Duterte bloc” in the House of Representatives, citing fundamental differences in principles and approach to opposition.

In an interview at the House of Representatives, De Lima was asked why she believes the Duterte bloc shouldn’t be part of the opposition.

“Sa prinsipyo pa lang and then sa mga issues, lalo na sa mga political issues, I don’t think we can join them; we can be one with them,” De Lima said.

“Kasi kami, kung we decide to be really in the Minority, it’s going to be really ‘yung tunay na minority na magiging fiscalizer — but ‘yung constructive fiscalizer, constructive Minority — but certainly not obstructionists.”

De Lima won a seat as a representative of the Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list in the 2025 midterm elections.

A former senator and longtime opposition figure, she made it clear that she wants no coalition with Duterte allies — even if they also end up in the House Minority.

“‘Yung ‘Duterte bloc,’ ang expectation natin diyan, baka obstructionists sila. Just oppose and oppose. Basta ba politically it would benefit them. Hindi naman ganoon ang mindset namin sa [Liberal Party] and sa ML,” added De Lima.

According to De Lima, her party is still weighing its options: whether to officially join the House minority or form an “independent opposition.” While the rules don’t formally recognize such a setup, De Lima pointed to a precedent — the late Albay representative Edcel Lagman, who once served as an independent opposition leader in the chamber.

“Yes, we would want to be fiscalizers. Yes, we would want to take positions based on issues. Ganoon naman kami lagi sa LP. Issues-based ang aming stand, ang aming opposition,” said De Lima.

De Lima was cleared of her three drug charges last June after being detained at Camp Crame for seven years.

She maintained her innocence throughout her detention, claiming that she was a victim of political persecution for criticizing the brutal war on drugs of former president Rodrigo Duterte.

(With a report from Marianne Enriquez, News5)

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