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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Weaponized justice system': Tinio hits DOJ's motion to reverse De Lima's acquittal

'Weaponized justice system': Tinio hits DOJ's motion to reverse De Lima's acquittal

Published Jul 16, 2025 01:07 pm

At A Glance

  • The Department of Justice (DOJ)'s motion for reconsideration (MR) against Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima over her acquittal of drug charges has exposed how the justice system is being used as a weapon against progressive leaders, ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio said Wednesday, July 16.
ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)
ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)
The Department of Justice (DOJ)'s motion for reconsideration (MR) against Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima over her acquittal of drug charges has exposed how the justice system is being used as a weapon against progressive leaders, ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio said Wednesday, July 16.
A panel of DOJ prosecutors on Monday, July 14, appealed to the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) to reverse its decision that acquitted De Lima in one of her Duterte administration era drug charges.
The move, which for De Lima is an alleged attempt at "triple jeopardy", exposed "the systematic weaponization of our justice system against those who dare to challenge the status quo," according to Tinio.
"Senator De Lima, Congresswoman France Castro, and Ka Satur Ocampo are being persecuted not for any crime, but for their unwavering commitment to human rights and social justice," he said.
De Lima had already spent six years in jail over drug charges she was already acquitted of. Meanwhile, Castro and Ocampo were convicted for "child abuse" after participating in a 2018 humanitarian mission, which Tinio said was, "to rescue Lumad students and teachers threatened by paramilitary forces".
"Ang ginagawa ng gobyerno ay isang malinaw na pag-atake sa lahat ng tumutol sa kanilang mga maling patakaran (What the government is doing is attacking those who oppose them)," he said.
Tinio said all three individuals, known for being progressives, were consistent critics of state violence and human rights violations. He says the pattern of weaponization against them "is clear: fabricate charges, conduct trial by publicity, and use the courts to silence dissent".
""This is not justice—this is state terrorism disguised as legal process," he said.
"Hindi dapat hayaang maging instrumento ng pang-aapi ang aming sistema ng hustisya (Our justice system shouldn't be used as weapon for oppression)," he added.
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