In the wake of former Senator Leila de Lima’s release after nearly seven years in detention, social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), have become the battleground for both celebration and criticism, not only directed at the ardent Duterte critic but also at those perceived as having oppressed her.
Among the names trending shortly after de Lima’s release, Senator Grace Poe found herself in the spotlight, with netizens labeling her as “plastic.”
Poe took to X to express, “Seven years of incarceration is long and arduous.”
She added, “Mayaman o mahirap, hindi makatarungan ang manatili ng mahabang panahon sa kulungan dahil sa mabagal na proseso ng batas” (“Whether rich or poor, it is unjust to remain in prison for a long time due to the slow legal process”).
However, Poe’s seemingly nonchalant post drew criticism from de Lima supporters and sympathizers.
Many recalled that Poe was one of the senators who voted to remove de Lima as chairperson of the committee on justice and human rights, which investigated Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs and killing spree.
“Didn’t Grace Poe vote for Leila De Lima to be ousted as chairperson of the committee on justice and human rights because of Duterte’s trumped-up charges?” commented an X user.
At least 16 senators, including Poe, participated in ousting de Lima, following her presentation of self-confessed hitman Edgar Matobato, who accused Duterte of ordering killings during his tenure as mayor.
Members of the Liberal Party (LP), including Senate President Pro-Tempore Franklin Drilon, Senators Risa Hontiveros, Francis Pangilinan, and Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, stood by de Lima during her ouster. Minority Leader Ralph Recto and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV abstained.
Trillanes welcomed de Lima’s release on X, stating, “The Magdalo group welcomes the release of former Senator Leila de Lima from detention for almost seven years. This is the biggest step in her quest for justice and redemption.”
Online sentiments varied, with one netizen tweeting, “May we never forget that Sen. Grace Poe was one of the 16 senators who voted to oust former Senator Leila de Lima in 2016. #FreeLeilaNow.”
Another X user insinuated that Poe’s Twitter account might be controlled by her Chief of Staff, her son Brian Poe Llamanzares.
Poe faced accusations of opportunism, with one X user commenting, “Senator Grace Poe’s attempt to ride on the hype over former senator Leila De Lima’s release from detention has backfired, with netizens slamming her silence when the latter was in jail.”
The Daily Netizen 