As several foreign ambassadors welcomed and praised the acquittal of former senator Leila de Lima in the last drug case filed against her by the previous Duterte administration, the United States urged the Philippines to resolve other “politically motivated cases”, including those against journalists and civil society.
Former senator Leila de Lima holds a wooden crucifix as she arrives at the Muntinlupa Hall of Justice on Nov. 13, 2023. (Arnold Quizol/MANILA BULLETIN)
“The United States welcomes the acquittal of former Philippine Senator Leila de Lima on the final criminal charge against her,” Matthew Miller, the State Department’s spokesman, said in a statement posted on the department’s official website.
Miller described the cases filed against De Lima as “politically motivated criminal charges.”
“The United States remains committed to working with the Philippines to strengthen democracy and human rights around the world,” he added.
“We continue to urge the Philippines to resolve politically motivated cases, including those against journalists and civil society, in a manner consistent with its international human rights obligations and commitments.”
US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson also welcomed the dismissal of De Lima’s case.
“The United States supports rule of law and respect for fundamental rights and freedoms around the world,” she wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
European Union Ambassador Luc Veron said on X that he shared the joy of De Lima and her co-defendants as they were cleared of all charges by the Muntinlupa City Court.
“After so many years, this is a victory for justice! The EU applauds and stands alongside this verdict for justice and human rights,” he said in a post using hashtag #EUStandsForJustice.
Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Hae Kyong Yu also stressed Australia’s support for the rule of law and respect for human rights as she shared about meeting the former senator.
“(Australia) is pleased to see @AttyLeiladeLima and her co-defendants cleared of all charges. I’m grateful to have met this strong and courageous woman,” she said.
French Ambassador to Manila Marie Fontanel shared a photo of De Lima, her lawyers, and supporters inside the courtroom.
“Live from the Muntinlupa City Court, I witness the acquittal of the former Senator from Lima. She was released on bail on Nov 23 after 7 years of political imprisonment and all charges against her have now been dropped,” a Google translation of her post on X said.
Canadian Ambassador to Manila David Hartman, likewise, lauded the news of the former senator’s freedom.
“Transparency, evidence, and independence of the judiciary are essential to our democratic systems of justice,” he also said on the social media platform.
On Monday, June 24, Judge Gener Gito of the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) granted De Lima’s demurrer to evidence filed on March 20 in her last remaining case.
A demurrer is defined as a motion to dismiss a case because the evidence presented by the prosecutors is insufficient for a conviction.
The former Department of Justice (DOJ) secretary and chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) was detained for almost seven years after what her camp called “trumped up” charges by the Duterte administration.