By Jhon Aldrin Casinas

Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo said that it is the right of American senators to deny entry into the United States Philippine officials involved in the detention of Sen. Leila De Lima.

US Sen. Dick Durbin announced on Twitter on Sept. 26 that the US Senate Appropriations Committee has approved the amendment he filed with US Sen. Patrick Leahy to deny entry on American soil to any Philippine officials who were involved in the “politically motivated” detention of Sen. de Lima.

Robredo said the move showed that the US was taking their campaign against human rights violations seriously, and that the US was also serious with their campaign against the use of government power to pressure political opponents.

“Ma-statement na ‘seryoso kami na gagawin namin ito’ at karapatan nila yun (This is a statement saying that ‘we are serious to do this’ and it is their right),” Robredo said Sunday during her weekly radio show.

“Ito karapatan. Pweding hindi tayo sang-ayon pero hindi siguro natin maipagkaila na karapatan nila ‘yun bilang isang bansa, kaya nga tayo kumukuha ng visa kasi sila yung may karapatan mag-approve kung sino yung papasok o hindi,” she added.

(This is their right. We may disagree with this but we cannot deny that it is their right as a country, that is why we apply for a visa because they have the right to approve who may or may not enter their borders.)

The Malacañang has called the move a “brazen attempt” to intrude in the country’s legal affairs, and that it was trying to put pressure on government’s independent institutions.

Robredo said Philippine officials have the choice if they would be pressured by the measure or not.

“Kahit pa anong gawin nung nasa labas na ipressure tayo, nasa atin kong magpapapressure tayo (Whatever other countries will do to pressure us, it depends on us if we will be pressured,” she said.

“Yung sakin, kahit pa na may attempts na panghimasukan tayo, pagayaw natin kaya natin yun harangin. Pareho din yung mga threats sa ating sovereignty, nasa satin yun kung papayagan natin o hindi,” she added.

(For me, even there are attempts to meddle with our affairs, if we refuse it, we can stop it. The same with the threats against our sovereignty, it depends on us of we will allow it or not.)