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Philippine elections

Philippine Senator Leila de Lima's campaign from prison

Arch-critic of President Rodrigo Duterte marks five years in jail

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's staunch critic Sen. Leila de Lima was jailed in February 2017 on drugs charges she says are false. Five years later, she is still behind bars as her trial drags on.   © Illustration by Michael Tsang

BRUSSELS -- Philippine Sen. Leila de Lima is campaigning hard for reelection in May -- and her days start early.

She rises around 4:30 a.m. with prayers, chores and exercise, before turning to work on policy matters and the drive to retain her legislative seat. She takes breaks to garden and tend to a more than 10-strong gang of stray cats she has adopted.

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