Leila De Lima Quickly Reacts to VP Sara’s Warning to FPRRD: “Is This a Real Threat or a Political Play?”

Manila, Philippines –
Former senator Leila De Lima has spoken out following the now-viral warning made by Vice President Sara Duterte to her father, former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (FPRRD), comparing his potential return to the Philippines to the tragic fate of Ninoy Aquino Jr. — a chilling reference that has stirred political circles and drawn sharp reactions from all sides.



VP Sara’s statement, delivered during a private discussion and later leaked to the public, allegedly warned FPRRD that he could meet the same fate as the late Ninoy Aquino should he return to the Philippines — a reference to the 1983 assassination of Aquino upon his arrival from exile.

In response, Leila De Lima, a long-time critic of the Duterte administration and a prominent symbol of political opposition, took to social media to express her concern and skepticism:

“If that was a serious warning, then we are living in terrifying times. If it was political theater, then we are witnessing dangerous manipulation,” De Lima wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

A Thinly Veiled Accusation?

De Lima, who spent over six years in detention under charges she repeatedly claimed were fabricated by the Duterte administration, did not mince words. She questioned whether the warning was rooted in genuine concern — or whether it was part of a deeper political strategy.

“The Dutertes know how to play with public emotion. This could be a calculated move to gain sympathy, distract from legal accountability, or shift the national narrative,” she said during an interview with DZRH.

While she acknowledged the possible risks surrounding FPRRD’s return amid international pressure and investigations tied to human rights violations, De Lima emphasized that invoking Ninoy’s name was “irresponsible and provocative.”

“The memory of Ninoy Aquino should not be used to draw parallels or gain political leverage,” she added. “If there is a real threat to the former President’s life, then the government must act transparently and urgently — not deliver vague, ominous warnings.”

Public Reaction: Shock, Confusion, and Political Division

Netizens were quick to jump in, with mixed reactions. Some supported VP Sara’s emotional statement as a daughter concerned for her father’s safety, while others, like De Lima, interpreted it as an orchestrated move.

Hashtags such as #FPRRDWarning, #LeilaResponds, and #NinoyParallel began trending, with some users even accusing the Duterte camp of “victim-playing” ahead of possible legal actions by the International Criminal Court.

“They’ve turned the narrative from human rights accountability to personal danger. That’s not justice — that’s distraction,” one user commented.

Others defended Sara’s statement as a legitimate expression of concern:

“If Sara warned him, it’s because she knows something we don’t. The political landscape is hostile. This isn’t just drama — it could be real,” said a pro-Duterte supporter.

What’s Next?

As the political climate continues to heat up, the nation watches closely. Will FPRRD still return despite the looming warnings? Will VP Sara clarify or retract her statement? And how will this impact the ongoing discourse around political accountability, safety, and legacy?

One thing is clear: with Leila De Lima now back in the public eye and firing back with sharp commentary, and the Duterte family caught in a new wave of controversy, Philippine politics is once again heading toward an unpredictable storm.

Ipinahayag ni dating Senador Leila de Lima na ang pahayag ni Vice President Sara Duterte tungkol sa posibleng magaya si dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte kay dating Senador Ninoy Aquino ay isang uri lamang ng “drama” na ginagamit upang makaiwas sa pananagutan. Sa isang post sa X nitong Lunes, Marso 24, binigyang-diin ni De Lima na magkaibang-magkaiba ang sitwasyon ng dalawang mga personalidad, at hindi maaaring ikumpara ang kanilang mga kalagayan.

 

Ayon kay De Lima, si Ninoy Aquino ay nagbalik sa Pilipinas kahit alam niyang maaaring mawalan siya ng buhay. Ang kanyang desisyon ay puno ng tapang at inilaan para sa bansa, para sa demokrasya, at para sa mga Pilipino. Samantalang sa pananaw ni De Lima, ang ginagawa ni dating Pangulong Duterte ngayon ay isang desperadong hakbang upang makaiwas sa pananagutan at hindi isang pagninilay ukol sa paglilingkod sa bayan.

“Ninoy Aquino returned to the Philippines knowing it could cost him his life. His courage was for the nation, for democracy, for the Filipino people.” 

“Duterte’s drama today is nothing but a desperate attempt to escape accountability. Justice isn’t swayed by melodrama, only by truth. And history will always know the difference,” dagdag pa ni De Lima.

Ayon pa kay De Lima, walang ibang makakapagpigil sa katarungan kundi ang katotohanan, at walang pagtatangkang pagpapakita ng emosyon ang makakalimos sa mga kamalian at pagkakasala ng isang tao.

Naalala ng marami ang pahayag ni VP Sara Duterte noong Linggo, Marso 23, sa isang event sa The Hague, Netherlands, kung saan sinabi niya na tuwing binibisita niya si dating Pangulong Duterte sa detention center ng International Criminal Court (ICC), palaging tinatanong ng kanyang ama kung may posibilidad ba siyang makauwi sa Pilipinas. Ngunit binalaan niya ito na kung magpapatuloy ang planong umuwi, maaaring magaya siya kay Ninoy Aquino, na pinatay pagkatapos ng kanyang pagbabalik sa Pilipinas noong 1983.

Para kay De Lima, ang mga pahayag na tulad nito ng Vice President ay hindi makakatulong sa paglilinis ng pangalan o kalagayan ng dating Pangulo, kundi isang pagtatangka lamang na palabasin ang sitwasyon na puno ng emosyon o drama upang makaakit ng simpatya mula sa publiko. Ayon sa kanya, ang tunay na katarungan at pagpapasya ay hindi nabubuo sa mga ganitong uri ng manipulasyon.

Inamin ni De Lima na ang sitwasyon nina Aquino at Duterte ay hindi magkakapareho, at ang desisyon ni Aquino na magbalik sa Pilipinas, na naglalaman ng malupit na kahihinatnan, ay isang sakripisyo at simbolo ng kanyang tapang para sa bayan. Ang pagkamatay ni Aquino sa kamay ng mga hindi makatarungang pwersa ay naging isang mahalagang sandali sa kasaysayan ng bansa na nagbigay daan sa mga pagbabago sa pulitika at lipunan.

Samantalang si Duterte, ayon kay De Lima, ay patuloy na nagsisikap umiwas sa mga akusasyon at mga kasong kinahaharap kaugnay ng kanyang mga polisiya, lalo na ang giyera laban sa droga na nagdulot ng maraming pagkamatay at human rights violations. Ang kanyang pagsubok na ibalik ang kaniyang sarili sa bansa ay isang pahayag lamang na nagpapakita ng takot at isang pagtanggi sa pananagutan, hindi katulad ni Ninoy Aquino na nagbalik sa kabila ng panganib ng kamatayan para sa mga ideolohiya at para sa kapakanan ng nakararami.

Sa huli, inisip ni De Lima na walang kalalabasan ang ganitong mga pahayag, kundi isang desperadong pagtatangka na magtago sa likod ng emosyon at hindi ang tunay na pagharap sa mga isyung dapat ayusin. Tanging ang katotohanan at katarungan ang magbibigay linaw at magtatakda ng tunay na resulta para sa bawat isa.