FORMER Senator Leila De Lima asked the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court to reconsider its recent ruling rejecting her motion for bail in connection with charges linking her to illegal drugs.

De Lima, represented by her legal counsel, stressed that Branch 256 had committed a “grave but reversible error” in denying her plea for bail.

She argued that the court had solely considered the testimonies presented by the prosecution, while disregarding the arguments raised by her defense team.

“It is essential to highlight that, at this stage of the trial, nearly a dozen witnesses have already been presented by the Prosecution and cross-examined by all the accused,” her motion read.

“For this reason, the Prosecution’s evidence, in relation to the cross-examination conducted by the accused, can no longer be categorized as merely prima facie, as the term itself denotes ‘on its face,’ i.e., devoid of any other evidence other than uncontested assertions that remain unrebutted,” added De Lima’s motion.

Previously, De Lima was cleared of illegal drugs charges related to her tenure as justice secretary under the Aquino administration by the Muntinlupa City RTC Branch 204.

However, she remains embroiled in a separate case that is currently pending before Branch 256 of the Muntinlupa RTC, where her motion for bail awaits a decision.

The charges against De Lima were filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ), which accused her of involvement in the illegal drug trade during her time as justice secretary under the Aquino administration. Currently, she is being held at the Philippine National Police – Custodial Center.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Hector Lawas