The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday, Aug. 17, said it will submit to the Senate a report on the status of the illegal drug cases pending in court against detained former Senator and ex-Justice Secretary Leila M. De Lima.
DOJ spokesperson Jose Dominic Clavano made the assurance in response to the request made by Sen. Edgardo “Sonny” Angara who sought a status report on the cases.
“We will submit to the Good Senator Angara a status report on these cases,” Clavano said.
“The prosecutors in charge have already finished their presentation of evidence and it is now former Sen. De Lima’s turn to present her evidence. We will submit ASAP (as soon as possible),” he said.
Angara asked DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla for a report during a meeting with the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights on Wednesday, Aug. 17.
De Lima has been detained since 2017 at the Custodial Center of the Philippine National Police (PNP) at its headquarters at Camp Crame, Quezon City.
Non-bailable charges have been filed against her before the Muntinlupa City regional trial court (RTC) under Criminal Case Nos. 17-165 and 17-167 over her alleged involvement in the proliferation of the illegal drugs trading at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).
Responding to calls from various sectors to release De Lima, Secretary Remulla said: “It is up to the court to decide.”