Lawyers, netizens hail de Lima’s acquittal
Published May 12, 2023 04:00 am
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Updated May 12, 2023 04:00 am
People reacted favorably to the [acquittal of former senator Leila de Lima](https://mb.com.ph/2023/5/12/muntinlupa-court-dismisses-drug-case-vs-de-lima) in another drug case on May 12 in Muntinlupa.
The Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 204 found de Lima and Ronnie Dayan not guilty in case 17-165, which accused the two of conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading allegedly done during her time as justice secretary.
(From left) Dean Tony La Viña, former senator Leila de Lima and former senatorial candidate Chel Diokno (Photos: Juan Carlo De Vela, screenshot, contributed)
Former senator Leila de Lima at the Muntinlupa Hall of Justice on May 12 (Juan Carlo De Vela)
Dean Tony La Viña and former senatorial candidate Chel Diokno lauded the court’s decision acquitting de Lima and Dayan in the case. “I’m so happy for senator Leila. It’s about time she gets acquitted. I hope that she is free, sana within the week or by next week, makalaya na. Yun ang hinihintay natin. Yung resolution ng isang court sa bail. Kung mabigyan siya ng bail e di laya na dapat (That is what we are waiting for. The resolution of a court on bail. If she is given bail, then she will be freed). I’m so optimistic,” said Diokno. According to La Viña, president of the Movement against Disinformation (MAD), “Obviously we are happy with the result in today’s decision. No wavering, acquittal of senator de Lima and her co-accused Ronnie Dayan. As it should be because there was no evidence at all against her for the charges here of receiving money from the drug lords.” He added, “As the testimony of NBI director Mr. Ragos really showed when he recanted his former testimony. We do not imagine the judge making any other decision with such testimony, the only testimony against her was discredited by the recantation. Of course, we are happy the truth prevailed.” Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon, who formerly served as the city’s representative, said, "I have trust in the justice system so I believe Sen. de Lima got the decision that she deserves. It's sad though that the Senate was deprived of the full service of a capable and competent senator while she was detained during her entire term. Nevertheless, I congratulate her for her victory and wish her well," Netizens also praised the decision. “Now that President Duterte is out of Malacañang Palace, the real story will surface to dismiss all charges de Lima has, and it’s about time she’ll be released from her prolonged suffering,” said Eric Bautista, a resident of Bulacan. Cavite resident Nancy Beltran said, “ I think it's the right time for de Lima's case dismissal since no strong evidence has been presented. It's merely politics. The truth will always prevail.” The DOJ filed three cases of illegal drug trading against de Lima on Feb. 17, 2017, which were later changed to conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading. One of the three cases, 17-166, was dismissed by a Muntinlupa court in February 2021 when it granted de Lima’s demurrer to evidence, which is “tantamount to her acquittal,” according to the judge. Case 17-167 is the only remaining case and is being heard by the Muntinlupa RTC Branch 256. The court was supposed to rule on de Lima’s petition for bail on May 8 but deferred it after there was an issue in the marking of evidence by the prosecution. If the court grants bail to de Lima, she will be freed from detention. Boni Tacardon, de Lima’s legal counsel, said the next hearing in the case is set on June 5 but they are hoping that the court will rule on the petition for bail before the date.
(From left) Dean Tony La Viña, former senator Leila de Lima and former senatorial candidate Chel Diokno (Photos: Juan Carlo De Vela, screenshot, contributed)
Former senator Leila de Lima at the Muntinlupa Hall of Justice on May 12 (Juan Carlo De Vela)
Dean Tony La Viña and former senatorial candidate Chel Diokno lauded the court’s decision acquitting de Lima and Dayan in the case. “I’m so happy for senator Leila. It’s about time she gets acquitted. I hope that she is free, sana within the week or by next week, makalaya na. Yun ang hinihintay natin. Yung resolution ng isang court sa bail. Kung mabigyan siya ng bail e di laya na dapat (That is what we are waiting for. The resolution of a court on bail. If she is given bail, then she will be freed). I’m so optimistic,” said Diokno. According to La Viña, president of the Movement against Disinformation (MAD), “Obviously we are happy with the result in today’s decision. No wavering, acquittal of senator de Lima and her co-accused Ronnie Dayan. As it should be because there was no evidence at all against her for the charges here of receiving money from the drug lords.” He added, “As the testimony of NBI director Mr. Ragos really showed when he recanted his former testimony. We do not imagine the judge making any other decision with such testimony, the only testimony against her was discredited by the recantation. Of course, we are happy the truth prevailed.” Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon, who formerly served as the city’s representative, said, "I have trust in the justice system so I believe Sen. de Lima got the decision that she deserves. It's sad though that the Senate was deprived of the full service of a capable and competent senator while she was detained during her entire term. Nevertheless, I congratulate her for her victory and wish her well," Netizens also praised the decision. “Now that President Duterte is out of Malacañang Palace, the real story will surface to dismiss all charges de Lima has, and it’s about time she’ll be released from her prolonged suffering,” said Eric Bautista, a resident of Bulacan. Cavite resident Nancy Beltran said, “ I think it's the right time for de Lima's case dismissal since no strong evidence has been presented. It's merely politics. The truth will always prevail.” The DOJ filed three cases of illegal drug trading against de Lima on Feb. 17, 2017, which were later changed to conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading. One of the three cases, 17-166, was dismissed by a Muntinlupa court in February 2021 when it granted de Lima’s demurrer to evidence, which is “tantamount to her acquittal,” according to the judge. Case 17-167 is the only remaining case and is being heard by the Muntinlupa RTC Branch 256. The court was supposed to rule on de Lima’s petition for bail on May 8 but deferred it after there was an issue in the marking of evidence by the prosecution. If the court grants bail to de Lima, she will be freed from detention. Boni Tacardon, de Lima’s legal counsel, said the next hearing in the case is set on June 5 but they are hoping that the court will rule on the petition for bail before the date.