Court dismisses De Lima’s last drug case

MANILA, Philippines — Former senator Leila de Lima, an arch critic of the previous administration, has now been cleared of all the drug charges filed against her during the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte.

The Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 206 yesterday granted De Lima’s demurrer to evidence on her third and last charge of conspiracy to commit drug trading.

A demurrer to evidence is filed by the defense to argue that the prosecution lacks sufficient evidence in the case and warrants a dismissal.

The granting of the demurrer means that the prosecution failed to prove the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt.

With the dismissal of the third and final drug charge, De Lima, who was temporarily out of detention after the Muntinlupa court granted her bail in November last year, is now considered completely free.

“Napakalaki ng ginhawa at saya ang nararamdaman ko ngayon (I feel so relieved and happy at the moment). With the grant of our demurrer to evidence, which is tantamount to acquittal, that means I am now completely free and vindicated. It’s very liberating,” De Lima told reporters.

She also sent a strong warning to Duterte, saying he will be the one to “pay for his crimes.”

“He must be held accountable because nothing is happening here in the Philippines. Very few are prosecuted and convicted,” the former senator said, adding that she has been helping the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the crimes against humanity case against the former president in connection with the drug war killings.

De Lima also vowed to continue the fight against injustices, oppression and violation of human rights.

Prosecutors Ramoncito Ocampo and Darwin Cañete said they would study whether they would file a motion for reconsideration on the court’s decision, but for now, De Lima can enjoy her “unmitigated freedom.”

“We are not discounting the possibility of filing proper legal remedies. We will discuss if we will file a (motion for reconsideration) or any other legal remedy that may be warranted by the circumstances,” Ocampo said.

Two of the three drug charges against De Lima over her alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade at the New Bilibid Prison