Photo by: Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News
MANILA, Philippines — Former Senator Leila de Lima has been exonerated of her final drug-related charge following a decision by the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 206. The court granted her motion for demurrer to evidence on Monday, effectively dismissing all charges against her.
De Lima’s lawyer, Boni Tacardon, confirmed the court’s decision on Monday afternoon. A demurrer to evidence is a legal motion arguing that the evidence presented by prosecutors is insufficient for a conviction. If granted, it results in the dismissal of charges against the defendant.
In an emotional response to the court’s decision, De Lima expressed feelings of freedom and vindication. “The grant of our demurrer to evidence…means now I am completely free and vindicated,” she stated during an ambush interview.
Prosecutor Ramoncito Ocampo, in a separate interview, mentioned that the prosecution is considering filing a motion for reconsideration or exploring other legal remedies against the court’s decision. However, he conveyed mixed emotions, noting, “It is still premature on our part, we have still yet to read the decision,…but it is still to be discussed.” He also expressed happiness for De Lima, acknowledging her as a former boss.
As of this writing, the Department of Justice has not released a statement regarding the dismissal of De Lima’s case.
Background on De Lima’s Cases
Leila de Lima, a vocal critic of former President Rodrigo Duterte, has been in detention since February 2017, accused of involvement in the illegal drug trade at New Bilibid Prison. On November 13 of last year, she was granted temporary liberty after the Muntinlupa RTC allowed her to post bail.
De Lima, now the spokesperson for the Liberal Party, along with her co-accused—former Bureau of Corrections director Franklin Jesus Bucayu, former aides Ronnie Dayan and Joenel Sanchez, and alleged bagman Jose Adrian Dera—were allowed to post bail set at P300,000 each.
Significant developments in her legal battles include the withdrawal of testimonies by former policemen Rodolfo Magleo and Nonilo Arile on October 12, 2023. They had accused De Lima of drug trade involvement with high-profile inmate Jaybee Sebastian but recanted their statements, citing a “bothered conscience.”
Earlier, De Lima was acquitted of two other drug charges filed during Duterte’s administration. The first case was dismissed by Muntinlupa RTC Branch 205 in 2021 after granting her demurrer to evidence. The second charge was dropped by Muntinlupa RTC Branch 204, which acquitted De Lima and her aide Ronnie Dayan of conspiracy to commit illegal drug trade during her tenure as Justice Secretary.
