Leila de Lima says she intends to join House minority

Representative-elect Leila de Lima.

MANILA, Philippines — Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Representative-elect Leila de Lima on Monday said she intends to be part of the House of Representatives’ minority bloc, either as a member or as minority leader.

De Lima made the pronouncement during the proclamation of winning party-lists in the 2025 elections at the Manila Hotel.

“Well I just intend to be part of the minority, in opposition and also as fiscalizer,” said De Lima in a chance interview.

“Whether as a minority leader or not, let’s just see,” she added.

But De Lima clarified that she still has to learn the dynamics of lawmakers within the 20th Congress, and to study which committee would be best for her to lead as chairperson.

READ: De Lima: Decision to join panel comes from place of ‘duty and principle’

She also stated that she is still set to meet with ML’s allied groups belonging to the opposition—a combination of progressives and liberals—to plan their next steps in Congress.

De Lima is also to be part of the panel of prosecutors in the impeachment trial of Duterte before the Senate./ MR