Former senator Leila de Lima has asked the public to join her in praying for the dismissal of a drug case, which will be decided by a Muntinlupa court on May 12.
Former senator Leila de Lima arrives at the Muntinlupa Hall of Justice for a hearing in April (Contributed photo)
“Samahan n'yo po ako sa aking taimtim na panalangin para sa mapagpala at makatarungan na kalalabasan ng promulgation of judgment bukas, May 12, sa isa sa mga kaso ko (Please join me in my fervent prayers for a blessed and just outcome of the promulgation of judgment tomorrow, May 12, in one of my cases),” said De Lima in a note she wrote in her detention facility in Camp Crame where she has been languishing for more than six years.
On May 12, the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 204 will issue its decision on case 17-165, which accuses De Lima and Ronnie Dayan of conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading that allegedly happened during her time as justice secretary.
It is one of the two remaining drug cases pending before Muntinlupa court. A third case filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in 2017 was dismissed by a Muntinlupa court in February 2021.
The case alleged that De Lima received P10 million in 2012, which supposedly came from the proceeds of the illegal drug trade at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa.
Ragos, the key government witness, originally claimed that he delivered P10 million to De Lima’s house in Paranaque two times: P5 million in November 2012 and P5 million in December 2012.
In April last year, Ragos issued a new affidavit wherein he recanted all his allegations against De Lima and Dayan. He also appeared in the Muntinlupa court to affirm his recantation, saying that the two accused were innocent of the charges.
Ragos said he was coerced into making false testimonies against De Lima and Dayan in the case.
“With Truth on my side, I remain hopeful and optimistic of a positive outcome in my two remaining drug cases. In the name of Truth and Justice. Please stand by me and for me in this most critical phase of my journey towards freedom and vindication. Hindi po tayo pababayaan ng Mahal na Panginoon (The Dear Lord will not forsake us),” said De Lima.
Last May 8, the Muntinlupa RTC Branch 256 was supposed to rule on De Lima’s petition for bail. However, the court deferred the issuance of a decision after it was found out that the prosecution erred in marking its evidence.
The court has yet to issue a new date on the issuance of the decision on De Lima’s bail petition.