The United States and the European Union urged the Philippines to settle former senator Leila de Lima’s outstanding drug case on Tuesday, coinciding with her release from jail.

The nation should settle De Lima’s outstanding case “in a manner that is consistent with its international human rights obligations and commitments,” according to a statement issued by US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.

“The US welcomes former Philippine Senator Leila de Lima’s release on bail after nearly seven years in detention on politically motivated drug charges. Senator De Lima’s release follows her acquittal in two out of three cases,” Miller said, as shared by the US Embassy in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Furthermore, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) released the following statement regarding De Lima’s release:

“After nearly seven years of unjust detention for defending human rights, former Philippine Senator Leila de Lima is finally free on bail.” the statement said.

We welcome this long overdue decision and call on any remaining bogus charges to be dropped once and for all. Her eloquent words upon release about defending democracy and truth and not succumbing to hate amid repression are an inspiration to all of us. We look forward to hosting her soon for a visit to the United States Senate.” the statement added.

Durbin and Markey have called for her release and the dropping of the false charges against her on several occasions since her arrest. Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Durbin and Markey also introduced a bipartisan resolution that brought up human rights issues in the Philippines.

EU Ambassador Luc Vernon was “very pleased by the news of Atty. Leila de Lima’s release as a “significant step for rule of law in the Philippines” and a “positive turn in the pursuit of justice.”

Additionally, the ambassador expressed his hope that the remaining charges against De Lima would be resolved more quickly.

The Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 206 granted De Lima’s motion for reconsideration of her bail petition in her ongoing drug case on Monday, leading to her temporary release. Having endured six years and eight months in jail on what rights groups deemed trumped-up accusations, the former opposition senator stands as the most prominent critic of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial “war on drugs.”

Photo: Leila De Lima FB