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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Roque tells De Lima: 'Don't celebrate just yet'

Roque tells De Lima: 'Don't celebrate just yet'

Published Feb 18, 2021 03:36 pm

"Why is she celebrating?"

Malacañang is wondering why Senator Leila de Lima is claiming victory in her acquittal in one of the three drug charges against her when she is still behind bars.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque
(OPS / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after De Lima said being acquitted even in just one case under the administration of President Duterte is a "moral victory."

In his Thursday presser, Roque said that Malacañang will not react to what De Lima said.

"Wala po kaming reaksyon diyan kasi nakakulong pa rin (We don't have any reaction to that because she is still behind bars)," he said.

However, he still proceeded to react.

"Siya ay nakakulong pa rin, kasi meron pa siyang dalawang kaso. So bakit pa siya magse-celebrate, eh nandoon pa rin siya sa selda niya (She is still behind bars because she still has two cases against her. So why is she celebrating when she's still in her cell)?" he added.

De Lima is facing two cases of conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading before Branch 205 of the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court. The court dismissed one case.

De Lima, a known critic of the President, has been behind bars for almost four years now over drug charges filed against her by the Department of Justice (DOJ) before a court in Muntinlupa.

In January last year, chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo said President Duteret "could not care less" if De Lima gets released, stressing that the judiciary was never pressured to jail one of his staunchest critics.

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