De Lima drug case gets new judge
DETAINED former senator Leila de Lima’s remaining illegal drugs case now has a new presiding judge as it was re-raffled to Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court Branch 204 under Presiding Judge Abraham Joseph Alcantara.
Without delay, Judge Alcantara scheduled the case status hearing and presentation of the prosecution’s evidence for July 7, at 8:30 a.m.
To recall, Judge Romeo Buenaventura of Branch 256 voluntarily recused himself from the case. In a seven-page order, Judge Buenaventura explained that despite the baseless nature of the accused’s suspicions, they had compromised the integrity and impartiality of the court.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining trust and confidence in all future proceedings concerning the case.
Accused Joenel Sanchez, Ronnie Dayan, and Franklin Bucayu, in their respective motions, requested the immediate withdrawal of Judge Buenaventura from the case.
On June 7, Judge Buenaventura issued a 35-page order denying de Lima’s request for bail. The court determined that her previous experience of being taken hostage constituted a threat to her life, unlike in other bail cases.
The charges against de Lima were filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ), accusing her of involvement in the illegal drug trade during her tenure as justice secretary under the Aquino administration.
She is currently held at the Philippine National Police – Custodial Center.
