DOJ appeals De Lima acquittal in 2nd drug case

MANILA, Philippines — Government prosecutors have filed a motion for reconsideration before a Muntinlupa court, seeking to overturn an earlier decision acquitting former senator Leila de Lima in one of two remaining drug charges filed against her.

On May 12, the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 204 cleared De Lima based on the recantation of the witness, former Bureau of Corrections chief Rafael Ragos.

Aside from De Lima, the court acquitted her co-accused and former driver/bodyguard Ronnie Dayan based on “reasonable doubt.”

In their motion, state prosecutors said Ragos’ recantation was not sufficient to impair his original testimony.

The prosecutors said the testimony was “voluntarily and solemnly given during numerous occasions in Congress, Senate, media and the court.”

“The testimony was given under oath, in the presence of a judge and subjected to extensive cross-examinations as well as corroborated by several witnesses,” the motion read.

The prosecution said the rebuttal evidence given by the prosecution disproved Ragos’ claims that he was coerced into giving the testimony.

It said the defense supposedly was not able to contradict the rebuttal evidence presented.

Sought for comment, De Lima’s lawyers said they would file a motion to expunge the motion for reconsideration.

“The MR is a mere scrap of paper because the proceedings in CC 17-165 have already been concluded with finality, with the judgment of acquittal,” the lawyers said in a statement.

De Lima remains in detention as the Muntinlupa City RTC Branch 256, which handles the other drug charges against her, has yet to decide on her petition for bail.