Several groups praised a Muntinlupa court's decision acquitting former senator Leila de Lima in a drug case.
On May 12, the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 204 dismissed a drug case filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in 2017 against De Lima and Ronnie Dayan.
Former senator Leila de Lima in the Muntinlupa Hall of Justice on May 12 (Contributed photo)
The case, 17-165, accused the two of conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading and allegedly receiving P10 million .
The court dismissed the case based on the recantation of former Bureau of Corrections officer-in-charge Rafael Ragos, the key government witness.
As De Lima was escorted by the police out of the Muntinlupa Hall of Justice after the hearing, she said, "Answered prayers! A glorious day! The beginning of my vindication. May I say this to my oppressors: You can never crucify Truth. You cannot permanently stall Justice.”
Amnesty International, Akbayan, Karapatan, and One Faith. One Nation. One Voice issued statements hailing the dismissal of the case.
“The partial acquittal of prisoner of conscience and human rights defender Leila de Lima was long overdue. While justice has been slow for her, it follows years of arbitrary detention and other human rights violations she has had to endure,” said Amnesty International’s interim Deputy Regional Director for Research Montse Ferrer.
She added, ““The partial acquittal of prisoner of conscience and human rights defender Leila de Lima was long overdue. While justice has been slow for her, it follows years of arbitrary detention and other human rights violations she has had to endure.”
Ferrer urged “the authorities to also quash the remaining drug case and to ensure that her application for temporary freedom in this pending case is processed speedily and fairly. The authorities must not delay her release any longer and allow her to be reunited with her family, friends and supporters after six long years.”
“Since her arbitrary detention in 2017, Amnesty International and many other civil society groups have maintained that the charges against Leila de Lima are bogus and the result of the peaceful exercise of her right to freedom of expression. She should not have spent a single day in jail, and it is now time to provide adequate reparations for the human rights violations she has suffered,” she said.
She added, “Beyond Leila de Lima’s long-overdue release, the Marcos administration must work towards holding accountable those responsible for her arbitrary detention, which clearly violated her rights to liberty, presumption of innocence and other fair trial guarantees.”
Akbayan political party said the dismissal of the case is “one more step to freedom.”
“Akbayan Party lauds the acquittal of former Senator Leila de Lima by the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court (RTC). With this victory, she is one step closer to freedom. Like in her previous victories, we reiterate what we have already known: That the cases against Leila de Lima had no merit from the very beginning, and that her imprisonment was the work of a vindictive and petty administration,” it said.
It added, “Now that the truth has finally come to light, we will continue to campaign for De Lima's complete release and the dismissal of her remaining charges. Today marks a huge step in Leila's long walk to freedom, and we will be with her when that day finally arrives. Free Leila now!”
One Faith. One Nation. One Voice, composed of religious leaders, said, “We rejoice with former Senator Leila de Lima on the wonderful news of Acquittal in the case against her.”
“We underscore the blatant misogyny and demagoguery that led to her political frame-up and detention under fabricated charges. Such underhanded and despicable machinations have no place in a democratic society,” they said.
They added, “Leila de Lima is close to freedom, with only one more case blocking her way. We urge the courts to dismiss this remaining charge immediately. We are with you, Senator Leila! Let's keep up the cause for truth, justice, and peace in the Philippines!”
The statement was signed by Most Rev. Broderick Pabillo, Apostolic Vicar of Taytay, Palawan; Most Rev. Gerardo Alminaza, Bishop, Diocese of San Carlos, Roman Catholic Church; Minnie Ann Mata-Calub, acting general secretary, National Council of Churches in the Philippines; Most Revd. Rhee Timbang, Obispo Maximo, Iglesia Filipina Independiente; Bp. Emergencio Padillo, Bishop, United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP); Right Revd. Dindo C. Ranojo, IFI, General Secretary, Ecumenical Bishops Forum; Rev. Dr. Federico Villanueva, Faith and Bayan; and Sr. Rowena Pineda, MMS, Chairperson, Sisters Association of Mindanao (SAMIN).
Karapatan said it “lauds the acquittal of former Sen. Leila de Lima on one of the malicious charges against her. We call on the Muntinlupa City RTC Branch 256 to grant her bail petition to enable her release.”
“For six years, Sen. Leila has been detained and pilloried by the Duterte administration, but she remained firm and steadfast in speaking out against Duterte’s crimes. As we welcome Sen. Leila’s acquittal and call for her release, we likewise call for the release of all political prisoners like her who have been persecuted because of their work and beliefs on human rights and social justice. Free Leila de Lima! Free all political prisoners!” it said.