There is only one remaining case that the detained former Senator Leila de Lima has to overcome to be released. This Friday, the court in Muntinlupa acquitted the former lawmaker in the case she faced related to illegal drugs. This is her second case that the court dismissed.
“Acquitted,” was the happy news of Atty. Filibon Tacardon, De Lima’s lawyer, to reporters regarding the outcome of the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 204 judge’s decision.
In the 39-page court decision, it was said that the prosecution failed to prove that De Lima, and her co-accused, Ronnie Dayan, who was her former bodyguard, were involved in the illegal drug trade at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa.
Although the prosecution proved that the illegal drug trade in the prison was rampant, they failed to prove the involvement of De Lima and Dayan because of the retraction made by former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Rafael Ragos, in his testimony that was stressing the two in the case.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla congratulated De Lima on the court’s decision.
“The rule of law has prevailed, and it just points out to us that the independence of the judiciary is a basic foundation of our democratic system,” said the secretary in the ambush interview.
De Lima acquitted in second drug case in Muntinlupa court
“It’s good. It’s good for us. It just proves that things are working in our country,” said Remulla.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin announced that the court’s decision should be respected.
“Senator De Lima, that’s another victory in her camp. That is justice system working,” said Bersamin, former chief justice.
In February 2017, De Lima was still detained at Camp Crame after being charged due to the allegation that she benefited from the illegal drug trade in the NBP when she was still the DOJ secretary.
In May 2022, Ragos recanted his testimony, saying that he, and his man Jovencio Ablen Jr., brought P5 million to De Lima’s house in Parañaque City in 2012 as part of the proceeds of the drug trade in NBP.
According to the court’s decision, in said testimony, only Ragos had personal knowledge of the source of the money.
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