THE hostage crisis that involved former senator Leila de Lima has led to calls from many people for her release. That is, instead of merely transferring her to another detention facility.

To be more specific, they urge President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to intervene in her case. Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman suggested that the President has two options. One is to instruct the Justice department to direct its prosecutors to move to dismiss the cases against her now being heard by the court. Another is not to oppose the bail petition filed by de Lima. After all, Lagman and many others believe that the case against de Lima is weak, and several of the witnesses against her have already recanted.