‘If Not True, Why Exploit It?’: De Lima Slams False Drug Claims Used in Politics

Story and photos by Mariela Angella Oladive

With the May 12 elections nearing and the campaign season intensifying, past issues—some long debunked or unverified—are once again being used as political weapons to sway public opinion or discredit rivals.

The controversial branding of Iloilo as “shabulized” under former President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration has resurfaced in political discourse, dividing Ilonggo voters who believe the label was unfounded and politically motivated.

Former senator and justice secretary Leila de Lima, now the first nominee of the Mamamayang Liberal (ML) party-list, criticized the revival of false narratives during her April 22 campaign stop in Iloilo City.

“It’s saddening that it’s like that because, first of all, the labeling by the [former] President—who is now in The Hague—was baseless,” De Lima said in an interview.

“I don’t believe that. I think he was just angry at the time, which is why he did that,” she added, referring to Duterte, who is under investigation by the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands for alleged crimes against humanity tied to his drug war.

“Now, if it’s going to be used again for political purposes this time, I don’t think it’s fair. It’s not proper, because in the first place, it had no basis,” she said.

“And yet they propagated it and continued to perpetuate that false narrative, which others ended up believing,” De Lima added.

She warned against political manipulation and the public’s tendency to believe black propaganda without discernment.

“Politicians should refrain from using falsehoods unless there is truth and evidence behind them,” she said.

“If it’s not true, why would you exploit it? That’s not good at all,” she added.

The term “shabulized” was first used by Duterte in 2016, targeting Iloilo at the height of his administration’s war on drugs.

In a recent campaign rally, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas appeared to reclaim the slur, referencing how Iloilo was once politically labeled yet has risen to become a model of good governance and urban development.

Supporters online echoed this sentiment, ironically using the term “shabulized” to contrast the city’s past reputation with its current achievements.

Meanwhile, rival camps have used the label to discredit opposition candidates, showing how the narrative remains a tool in campaign rhetoric.

De Lima, who was detained for nearly seven years on drug charges she described as politically motivated, has since become a symbol of political persecution.

She was acquitted of all remaining charges in 2024 and is now running to represent marginalized sectors through a platform focused on social justice, electoral reforms, and inclusive governance.