Former senator and now House lawmaker Leila M. de Lima reacted with humor and resolve after being referenced in a lighthearted exchange on the noontime program It’s Showtime, where host Vice Ganda jokingly tied her name to a song title during a game segment.
The moment unfolded when Vice Ganda asked a contestant if they knew the song “It’s My Turn,” before delivering a punchline that linked the title to De Lima. The quip drew laughter from the studio audience and quickly circulated online, prompting reactions from viewers who picked up on its political undertone.
De Lima later acknowledged the joke in a Facebook post, saying it genuinely amused her while also giving her an opportunity to reflect on her return to public life.
“Thanks for remembering me, Vice Ganda! Dami kong tawa dito,” she wrote. She then reframed the reference as symbolic rather than merely comedic. “Yes! It’s my turn to return and keep serving the Filipino people. Babawi ako sa ipinagkait na halos pitong taon sa aking buhay—ng higit pang paglilingkod sa ating mga kababayan.”
Her response resonated beyond entertainment circles, as the phrase “It’s my turn” echoed a long and contentious chapter in her political career. De Lima was detained in 2017 after courts ordered her arrest over drug-related charges alleging that illegal drug money from the New Bilibid Prison had funded her 2016 Senate campaign during her tenure as justice secretary. The cases were largely built on testimonies from convicted drug lords and prison officials.
The arrests and prolonged detention sparked widespread criticism, as De Lima had been one of the most vocal critics of then-President Rodrigo Duterte and his administration’s war on drugs. Local and international human rights groups, along with legal experts, argued that the cases bore signs of political motivation, particularly after several prosecution witnesses later recanted or gave inconsistent statements.
Over time, courts dismissed the cases citing insufficient evidence. In November 2023, after nearly seven years in detention, De Lima was released on bail, with no conviction handed down against her.
She now serves as a Member of the House of Representatives, representing Mamamayang Liberal, the sectoral wing of the Liberal Party, marking a formal return to legislative work following years of legal battles.
