Leila M. de Lima is a Filipino Lawyer, politician and former government official. She is currently serving as a congresswoman who won as the first nominee of Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list in the 2025 election. From 2016 to 2022, she was one of the senators of the Philippines.
On July 21, 2021, Senator de Lima announced that she will run for re-election in 2022. She filed filed her candidacy for senator under the Liberal Party which supported the Tropang Angat tandem of presidential candidate Leni Robredo and vice presidential candidate Kiko Pangilinan. She lost in the election on May 9, 2022.
Leila de Lima ran for congresswoman in the 2025 election and won as the first nominee of Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party List
Personal Information
Complete Name –> Leila Norma Eulalia Josefa Magistrado de Lima
Nickname –> Leila
Birth Date –> August 27, 1959 (age )
Hometown –> Iriga City, Camarines Sur, Philippines
Net Worth –> 9.5 million (as of December 31, 2020)
Net Worth –> 8.3 Million (as of December 31, 2019
Political Party – Liberal Party
Family
Husband –> Atty. Plaridel Bohol (marriage annulled)
Children –> Atty. Vincent Joshua De Lima Bohol, Israel De Lima (with special needs)
Grandson –> Brandon De Lima
Granddaughter –> Hannah de Lima
Father –> Former Commissioner of the Commission on Elections Vicente de Lima
Mother –> Norma Mahistrado
Siblings –> Vicente De Lima II, Caroline De Lima, Vicente De Lima Jr.
Education
College –> De La Salle University
Degree –> Bachelor of Arts Major in History
Law School –> San Beda University
* Top 8 in the 1985 Bar
* Ateneo de Naga University conferred on Leila de Lima the degree Doctor of Public Administration, Honoris Causa in 2025
Political Career / Work Experiences
2025-2028 – Congresswoman (as nominee of ML Party-list)
2022 – Ran for re-election but lost
2016-2022 – Senator (placed 12th in the 2016 election)
2010-2015 – Secretary, Department of Justice
2008-2010 – Chairperson, Commission on Human Rights
1995–2008 – Private Lawyer
1993–1995 – Secretary for the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal
1986-1989 – Staff member of Supreme Court Associate Justice Isagani Cruz
* Former Professor in Election Law, Business Organizations, Persons and Family Relations, Transportation Law, Statutory Construction
Achievements / Laws / Bills
* Author of Republic Act 11291 – Magna Carta of the Poor
* Author of Republic Act 11310 – An Act Institutionalizing the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps)
* Under her watch as head of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, the Philippines was removed from the US Human Trafficking Watchlist, paving the way for its long-hoped-for upgrade to Tier 1 status
Awards
2010 – MetroBank Foundation Professorial Chair for Public Service and Governance
2010-2011 – Most Outstanding Alumna awards by San Beda College
Drug Case
Senator Leila de Lima was incarcerated at Camp Crame from 1917 to 2024 for alleged violation of the drug trafficking law which she vehemently denies. She claimed that she was in jail over trumped-up charges upon the order of President Duterte himself. Many groups and personalities including foreign dignitaries called for her release.
RELATED: List of Current and Former Senators of the Philippines,
See also: Top Government Officials Under President Rodrigo Duterte
See also: Bar Topnotchers in the Philippines