Court allows De Lima to vote in 2019 midterm polls

MANILA, Philippines — The Muntinlupa court handling the government’s drug case against Sen. Leila de Lima has allowed her to vote in the 2019 midterm elections.

Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 205 allowed De Lima to exercise her right to vote on Monday, granted that she would do so from noon to 2:00 in the afternoon—including travel time—and that she would not give interviews to the media before and after she casts her vote.

LOOK: A Muntinlupa regional trial court granted detained Sen. Leila de Lima’s request for furlough so she can vote in the May 13 elections. | @iambertramirez pic.twitter.com/g2qiCqammb

— The Philippine Star (@PhilippineStar) May 7, 2019

Presiding Judge Liezel Aquiatan also ordered that De Lima would bear all expenses for her transport from the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame to her polling precinct at Santa Rita School, Parañaque City.

“Security procedures must be observed to ensure a safe and secured voting process for her by coordinating with the police and military in the area where she will cast her vote,” the two-page order dated April 30 read.

De Lima filed her motion before the court after the Commission on Elections rejected her request to establishing a special polling place in her detention.

The poll body instead suggested that De Lima still exercise her right to vote through the “escorted detainee voting system,” by seeking the courts.

The prosecution did not oppose De Lima’s plea, but submitted conditions such as limiting the voting time to two to three hours, including travel time, and restrict media interviews.

The court granted De Lima’s motion stressing that “it is the policy of the State to ensure that all qualified voters, including persons deprived of liberty found in jails, prisons and other detention facilities are provided with access to exercise their right to suffrage.”

Muntinlupa RTC Branch 256, where De Lima is also facing a charge, earlier granted her furlough and allowed her to vote.

De Lima has been detained at the PNP headquarters for more than two years over the government’s case of conspiracy to commit drug trading against her.

The senator has denied all accusations. —  with report from The STAR/Robertzon Ramirez