Detained Sen. Leila de Lima on Monday assailed blogger Rey Joseph Nieto, a rabid supporter of President Rodrigo Duterte, for claiming that the travel ban imposed by the US on Philippine government officials responsible for her detention was not true.

“The entry ban is in effect. In short, it’s not fake news,” De Lima said in her usual handwritten dispatch from her detention cell in Camp Crame.

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The opposition senator issued the remarks after Malacañang spokesperson Salvador Panelo confirmed the existence of such provision in the United States’ budget for 2020 that US President Donald Trump signed last week.

“Interpreting US appropriations law requires more due diligence than just looking at one document and, thereafter, promptly concluding that it does not contain the provision banning my persecutors from entry into the US,” De Lima stressed.

On Sunday, Panelo said he was able to speak with Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel “Babes” Romualdez about the matter. “[Romualdez] said they checked the law, and it does exist. The ban does exist,” Panelo said. —Marlon Ramos

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