De Lima drug case now up for decision

MANILA, Philippines — One of the two remaining drug cases filed against Leila de Lima has been submitted for decision, the former senator’s camp announced yesterday.

Escorted by police, De Lima attended the hearing yesterday at the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 204.

Filibon Tacardon, lawyer for De Lima, said they are expecting the decision to be promulgated on May 12.

“We will soon find out if former senator Leila de Lima is innocent of the charges. We are asking our countrymen to pray for the dismissal of the case filed against her,” Tacardon told reporters.

The charges stemmed from the allegation that De Lima received drug money from former Bureau of Corrections officer-in-charge Rafael Ragos.

Ragos and self-confessed drug trafficker Kerwin Espinosa have retracted their allegations against De Lima.

Following the recantation of Ragos and Espinosa, Tacordon said the former senator’s camp has decided to submit the case for resolution.

Tacardon said the petition for bail for the remaining drug case filed against De Lima before the Muntinlupa RTC Branch 256 remains pending.

In February 2021, the Muntinlupa RTC Branch 205 dismissed one of the three drug complaints lodged against De Lima.

De Lima has been accused of benefiting financially from the illegal drug trade at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa when she was justice secretary. She has denied the allegation.

She marked her sixth year in detention at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center at Camp Crame in Quezon City in February.