Diplomats ‘interceding’ for de Lima’s release?
DIPLOMATS have allegedly approached Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, asking him for the “withdrawal” of the illegal drugs charges the Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed against detained former Senator Leila de Lima.
“Dami na, diplomats mostly. I just had to explain the situation to them,” Justice Secretary Remulla said in a message when he was asked if groups or individuals were urging him to withdraw the criminal cases against de Lima.
Meanwhile, Remulla said that he respects the Office of the Ombudsman’s resolution to dismiss the bribery charges filed against de Lima and her former driver Ronnie Dayan due to a lack of probable cause.
“(Now,) it’s up to the courts,” Remulla said.
De Lima is presently detained at the Custodial Center of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Camp Crame, Quezon City, on drug charges filed by government prosecutors.
De Lima is facing conspiracy to commit illegal drug trade before the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court. Around 40 prosecution witnesses have testified against her, including former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Rafael Ragos.
She was accused of “benefitting” from the illegal drugs trade when she was the justice secretary during the Aquino administration.
For his part, DOJ spokesperson Atty. Mico Clavano echoed Remulla’s take on de Lima’s pending drugs charges in courts.
“DOJ’s statement remains the same. We will leave it to the sound discretion of the Muntinlupa Court to decide on the case. We have already presented our evidence. It is Former Senator de Lima’s turn to present hers,” he said in a separate message.
