De Lima’s release from detention at discretion of courts — Remulla
FORMER Senator Leila de Lima’s fate hangs in the balance as Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla leaves her release from detention up to the discretion of the courts.
Remulla stated that he would not object to any plea that would free anyone from jail, including de Lima’s.
However, he emphasized that the decision lies with the judges and even higher courts if necessary.
He suggested to de Lima’s lawyers to file a petition for habeas corpus to question her prolonged detention.
She is currently detained at the Custodial Center of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on charges of benefiting from illegal drugs when she was still Justice secretary.
The case against De Lima accuses her and Ronnie Dayan of conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading.
She is also accused of receiving P10 million allegedly hand-delivered by former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Rafael Ragos to her house in Parañaque.
But Ragos recently recanted these statements against de Lima.
In a recent decision, the Supreme Court granted the habeas corpus of Gigi Reyes, former chief-of-staff of then-senator and now Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile.
Reyes had filed the petition, citing “unreasonable delays” in her trial and a violation of her constitutional right to a speedy trial.
Reyes was in detention from July 9, 2014, accused of complicity in the pork barrel scam.
