Leila de Lima

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Leila de Lima
File:Justice Secretary Leila De Lima.jpg
Senator of the Philippines
Elect
Assumed office
June 30, 2016
Secretary of the Philippine Department of Justice
In office
June 30, 2010 – October 12, 2015
President Benigno Aquino III
Preceded by Alberto Agra (acting)
Succeeded by Alfredo Caguioa (acting)
Chairperson of the Philippine 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 64)
Iriga, Camarines Sur
Nationality Filipino
Political party Liberal (2015–present)
Spouse(s) Plaridel Bohol (annulled)
Alma mater De La Salle University
San Beda College
Profession Lawyer
Religion N/A
Website http://leiladelima.net/

Leila Norma Eulalia Josefa Magistrado de Lima (born August 27, 1959) is a Filipino lawyer. She was appointed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights on May 2008 and served until June 30, 2010 when she resigned and appointed by President Benigno S. Aquino III as Secretary of the Philippine Department of Justice. She resigned October 12, 2015 to focus on her candidacy for the Senate in the 2016 election.

Early life

File:Leila De Lima's House.JPG
de Lima residence in Iriga City, Camarines Sur

She is the eldest daughter of the former Philippine COMELEC Commissioner Vicente de Lima and Norma Magistrado. She was born and raised in Iriga City of the province of Camarines Sur, Philippines.[1] She completed basic education at the Consolacion Academy (now La Consolacion College), where was bestowed 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.[1] She placed 8th in the 1985 Philippine Bar Examinations with an 86.26% rating.[2]

Professional career

De Lima served as legal staff to Supreme Court Associate Justice Isagani A. Cruz from 1986 to 1989. She joined the Jardeleza Sobreviñas Diaz Hayudini and Bodegon Law Offices in 1989 where she served as a junior associate and in the same position at the Jardeleza Law Offices in 1991 to 1993. After serving in the government from 1993 to 1995, she joined Roco, Buñag, Kapunan and Migallos law firm and served as its Junior Partner. She set up her own firm, named The De Lima Law Firm from 1998 and served as counsel in various election cases, most notably the electoral protest of Koko Pimentel in the 2007 Senate election over the 12th seat occupied by Miguel Zubiri.

She also served as Professor of Law at the San Beda College of Law during her private practice. She taught Election Law, Business Organizations, Persons and Family Relations, Transportation Law, and Statutory Construction.

Government career

De Lima joined the Philippine government on 1993 when she served as Clerk and Secretary of the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal. She resigned in 1995 to return private practice.

Under then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Leila de Lima was appointed Chairperson of the Philippine Commission on Human Rights. When Benigno Aquino III took over, de Lima was tapped as Secretary of the Department of Justice under the President-elect's new Cabinet.

On July 2, 2010, De Lima took over the helm of the Philippine Department of Justice. In her speech, she said that "the marching orders of President Benigno Aquino III were not mere election promises...Reform is a fundamental theme of this administration: first to rid ourselves of corruption and second to shore up our competence."[3] On August 27, 2015, de Lima assisted Isaias Samson, an expelled Minister of Iglesia ni Cristo, in filing a case against the sect. Members protested at the DOJ office the next day while others occupied EDSA in Mandaluyong a few days later to urge de Lima to resign, and give focus to the Mamasapano clash where 2 members of the INC were killed.[4]

Personal life

She has two sons, Israel and Vincent Joshua.[1] Her marriage with Plaridel Bohol was annulled.

De Lima's aunt, Julie de Lima, married Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison making him Leila de Lima's uncle by marriage.[5]

References

Preceded by Secretary of the Department of Justice
2010 – 2015
Succeeded by
Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa
Order of precedence
Preceded by as Secretary of Finance Philippine presidential line of succession
as Secretary of Justice
Next:
Proceso Alcala
as Secretary of Agriculture