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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Up to trial court to appreciate' witness testimony vs. De Lima

'Up to trial court to appreciate' witness testimony vs. De Lima

Published Feb 24, 2021 11:54 am

The probative value of a witness’ testimony in court that detained Sen. Leila M. de Lima received personally in 2014 P1.4 million “illegal drugs money” from a prisoner at the National Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa is for the trial court to appreciate.

Senator Leila De Lima (PHOTO BY JANSEN ROMERO / FILE PHOTO)

This was stressed on Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 23, by Prosecutor Ramoncito Bienvenido T. Ocampo Jr. in a talk to journalists who covered the continuation of the hearings on De Lima’s illegal drugs case at the Muntinlupa City regional trial court (RTC).

“His testimony is very clear…. We leave it to the court for its appreciation of our evidence as far as the gist of the testimony of Joel Capones Jr. is concerned,” Ocampo said.

Capones was presented in court and was grilled by De Lima’s lawyers on his direct testimony before RTC Judge Romeo s. Buenaventura of Branch 256.Last Feb. 16, Capones told the court that he personally witnessed his co-inmate Jaybee Sebastian hand over to De Lima P1.4 million in drug money at the “Bahay na Bato” inside the NBP in 2014.

He also testified that in December 2013, fellow NBP inmate Sebastian asked him to engage in illegal drugs trading inside and out of the NBP to raise funds for the senatorial bid of De Lima, then DOJ secretary.

 In the course of his testimony, Capones confessed that he transacted illegal drugs on orders of Sebastian because he was convinced and impressed with the latter’s apparent strong influence with the previous administration, particularly with De Lima.

He said that in March 2014, he delivered P1.4 million to Sebastian as quota payment of the shabu drugs that he sold.He testified that Sebastian handed the money personally to De Lima.

De Lima, who was arrested in 2017 and detained at the Custodial Center of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Quezon City, has been charged in three criminal cases involving illegal drugs before the Muntinlupa City RTC.

One of the three drugs cases has been dismissed by the trial court on De Lima’s demurrer (a plea to dismiss on claims that the prosecution’s evidence is weak) to evidence. Her remaining two cases are undergoing court proceedings.

Prosecutor Ocampo said Capones’ testimony remains solid despite efforts by De Lima’s lawyers to crack it during the two-hour cross examination.

 He said that as far as the prosecution is concerned, Capones’ testimony was very clear and categorical that sometime in March 5, 2014 he saw alleged drug lord Sebastian hand over to De Lima 1.4 million in drug money.

“In his testimony, (Capones) delivered first the money to Jaybee Sebastian -- the P1.4 million -- and when the senator then Secretary of Justice arrived, Jaybee Sebastian handed the money to Secretary De Lima. That is part of the testimony,” he stressed.

 He said the prosecution panel will ask the trial court to allow them to have a redirect examination of Capones once De Lima’s lawyers finish their cross examination of the witness.

The hearing of De Lima’s case before RTC Branch 256 is set to resume on April 26.

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