Leila de Lima

Photo from Inquirer.net

Liberal Party

Born August 27, 1959

Iriga City, Camarines Sur

Born to former Commission on Election (COMELEC) Commissioner Vicente de Lima and wife Norma Magistrado in Iriga City, Camarines Sur, de Lima was set to become a real magistrado (magistrate) and commissioner (Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in 2008) herself.

She has always been a topnotch student during her time. The Justice Secretary has been consistently on top as she graduated Class Valedictorian in La Consolacion Academy (now La Consolacion College), Dean’s Medalist in De La Salle University with a bachelor’s degree in History and Salutatorian of Class 1985 in the San Beda College of Law. Eventually, she ranked 8th in the Bar Examinations shortly after she graduated from law school.

From 1986 to 1989 the secretary joined the Supreme Court as the legal staff of the controversial Associate Justice Isagani Cruz. In between, she taught law subjects at San Beda until 1994 and came back in 2006-2007. She also served Secretary of the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (1993-1995) before becoming a Junior Partner in the law firm of the late Sen. Raul Roco. Eventually she had her own law firm (De Lima Law Firm) that she concentratd on for 10 years before being the Chair of CHR in 2008.

In 2010, President Benigno Aquino III appointed her as Secretary of Justice. The most notable cases handled by the former secretary were cases of graft and corruption against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and the Pork Barrel Scam that led to jail time for Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Bong Revilla and Jinggoy Estrada.

De Lima has two children and two grandchildren.

References:

http://jbc.judiciary.gov.ph/index.php/about-the-jbc/jbc-members/59

http://www.philstar.com/opinion/2015/08/30/1493911/leila-de-lima-justice-without-fear-or-favor

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/97167/no-holds-barred-for-leila-de-lima-woman-with-balls

http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/118662-netizens-doubt-de-lima-track-record-law-enforcement