FORMER President Joseph “Erap” Estrada  has taken the cudgel in defending beleaguered Department of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima over her actions pertaining to government attempts to prevent former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from leaving the country.

In a statement released through his spokesperson  Margaux Salcedo, Estrada lauded De Lima for showing “courage in the midst of controversy.”

Last Tuesday, the Supreme Court issued an injunction against the “watchlist order” (WLO) earlier issued by De Lima against Mrs. Arroyo and her husband, ex-First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, that has prevented them from leaving the country on the pretext of seeking medical treatment for the former president.

The injunction by the SC against the WLO effectively allowed the Arroyos to leave the country but De Lima still prevented them from taking their flight to Singapore on a technicality.

In an emergency en banc session by the SC last Friday, it again affirmed its temporary restraining order (TRO) against the WLO issued by De Lima, which was based on department circular last year approved by no less than Arroyo herself.

Additionally, the magistrates ordered De Lima to show cause why she disobeyed the injunction and why she should not be cited for indirect contempt which carries a penalty of six months imprisonment, a fine of P30,000, or both.

“On this issue, I must commend Secretary De Lima. She showed courage in the midst of controversy.

“While the Arroyo camp tried to tilt the weight of justice against the people, she did everything in her power to tilt it back towards the best interest of the people.

“I applaud her,” Estrada said.