By Macon Araneta

Israel, Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s son (in the middle) receives the prestigious “Prize for Freedom” Award from the Liberal International (LI) on behalf of the Senator, who was recognized for her unwavering fight to defend human rights during the awarding ceremony held at Novotel Manila, Araneta Center on July 28.

With him on stage were (from left to right) the Senator’s brother Vicente “Vicboy” de Lima II and nephew Marcel de Lima, LI Deputy President Dr. Hakima el Haite, LI President Dr. Juli Minoves, Vice President Leni Robredo, her sister Caroline de Lima and aunt Lilia de Lima, former Hong Kong Legislative Council Emily Lau, Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) Secretary General Kiat Sittheeamorn, former President Benigno S. Aquino III, and Liberal Party President Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan.

De Lima is the second Filipino who received the award after then President Corazon Aquino in 1987.