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'Only courts can order De Lima's release' -- DOJ

Philippines | National

'Only courts can order De Lima's release' -- DOJ

By Jeffrey Damicog

Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra (2)

Only the courts can decide on what to do with the illegal drugs charges filed against detained Sen. Leila M. De Lima and if she can be released, Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra said on Friday, Feb. 25.

Guevarra said: “Under our legal system, only the courts have the sole and exclusive power to order her release. And it can happen only if her cases are dismissed or she is acquitted of all charges after a full-blown trial on the merits.”

He reacted to calls for release of De Lima whose supporters claimed the cases against her are trumped-up charges because she is “a vocal critic” of President Duterte.

“Senator De Lima’s case is beyond the pale of politics,” Guevarra stressed.

De Lima, who is seeking reelection this year, has been detained for five years at the Custodial Center of the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

In 2017, three criminal cases were filed before the Muntinlupa City regional trial court (RTC) for De Lima’s alleged involvement in the proliferation of the illegal drugs trading at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).

In Feb. 2021, RTC Judge Liezel Aquiatan granted De Lima’s demurrer to evidence (a plea to junk the charges due to weak evidence of prosecution to sustain a conviction) and dismissed one of the drugs cases against her.

Two other cases are still pending.

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