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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Sec Remulla on grant of bail to De Lima: Democracy alive in PH

Sec Remulla on grant of bail to De Lima: Democracy alive in PH

Published Nov 13, 2023 09:45 am

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla on Monday, Nov. 13, said  the decision of the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court (RTC) to grant bail to former senator Leila M. de Lima is proof of the "independence of the judiciary" and that "democracy is alive" in the Philippines.

“It just shows that there is democracy. Democracy is alive and well in our country,” Remulla said during a briefing at the Department of Justice (DOJ).

He said the ruling of the RTC which granted De Lima's petition for bail indicates that no influence has been exerted on the judiciary.

“It just shows the independence of the judiciary that I have always been saying from the very beginning. We are independent from each other and that they are free to decide as they deem fit,” he pointed out.

With the grant of bail, Remulla said he will leave it up to the prosecution to decide on how to proceed in handling the drug case against De Lima "including whether to appeal the bail granted to the former senator."

“I call it prosecutorial independence. I do not interfere in the job of the prosecution especially with these matters,” he stressed.

He noted that the drug cases against De Lima were already pending in court when he became justice secretary.

“We follow the principle of institutional continuity. The moment I stepped into office it was already a running case,” he said.

He assured that he respects "the findings of the previous prosecutors” in filing the drug cases against de Lima in court.

 “It is not for me to change their judgment or point of view with regards to this,” he said.

Only one of the three drug cases remains pending against de Lima after being acquitted in the two other cases.

Under Criminal Case No. 17-167 which is pending before RTC Judge Gener M. Gito of Muntinlupa City RTC Branch 206, De Lima and her co-accused allegedly received P70 million in illegal drugs earnings collected by imprisoned narcotics traders of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.

 

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