kids encyclopedia robot

Leila de Lima facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Leila de Lima
Leila de Lima (cropped).jpg
De Lima in 2016
Senator of the Philippines
In office
June 30, 2016 – June 30, 2022
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
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 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)
Other political
affiliations
Independent (2010–2015)
Aksyon (2001–2010)
Spouse Pláridel Bohol (annulled)
Children 2
Relatives Lilia de Lima (aunt)
Julie 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 Filipina politician, lawyer, human rights activist and law professor who previously served as a Senator of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022. She was the chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights from 2008 to 2010, before serving in President Benigno Aquino III's cabinet as Secretary of Justice from 2010 to 2015.

Known as a vocal critic of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, she was arrested in 2017. She was held in pretrial detention until November 13, 2023, although she served out her remaining term as senator and filed legislation while held.

Later that year, she was awarded the Prize for Freedom by the Liberal International.

Early life

De Lima is the eldest daughter of former Philippine Commission on Elections commissioner Vicente de Lima and Norma Magistrado. She was born and raised in Iriga, Camarines Sur in Bicol.

De Lima completed her basic education, graduating as class valedictorian. She graduated in 1980 from the De La Salle University with an AB History degree. She finished her Bachelor of Laws (Salutatorian) degree at the San Beda College of Law in 1985. She placed 8th in the 1985 Philippine Bar Examinations with an 86.26% bar rating.

Career

De Lima began her career as a staff member of Supreme Court Associate Justice Isagani Cruz from 1986 to 1989.

Leila de Lima was appointed as the Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights under the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, serving from 2008 to 2010. Her two-year term was marked by high-profile cases such as the Davao Death Squad, human rights cases against general Jovito Palparan, and the Maguindanao massacre in 2009.

In 2010, President Benigno Aquino III offered her the position of Justice secretary, for which she accepted.

Leila de Lima ran as a senatorial candidate for the 2016 general elections under the Koalisyon ng Daang Matuwid (lit. Coalition of the Straight Road) of the Liberal Party. She finished 12th, after amassing more than 14 million votes.

In 2022, de Lima ran for reelection as senator under the Liberal Party but lost after placing in 23rd position.

Personal life

De Lima was previously married for more than thirty years to lawyer Plaridel Bohol, who was her classmate in college, before their marriage was annulled. She has two children.

De Lima's aunt, Julie de Lima, married Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison, making him her uncle by marriage. Another aunt, Lilia de Lima, served as the head of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority and is a Ramon Magsaysay Awardee.

Following her release, De Lima, who describes herself as a dog lover, adopted five cats from Camp Crame who accompanied her constantly 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

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Leila de Lima para niños

  • List of Filipino Nobel laureates and nominees
kids search engine
Leila de Lima Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.