Leila de Lima acquittal sealed as Muntinlupa court denies MR

Leila de Lima acquittal sealed as Muntinlupa court denies MR

By: - Reporter / @luisacabatoINQ
/ 06:05 PM August 29, 2024

Leila de Lima acquittal sealed as Muntinlupa court denies MR

A Muntinlupa court affirms the acquittal of former senator Leila de Lima from her last drug case as it denied the motion for reconsideration (MR) filed by prosecutors.  In a four-page order dated August 7, 2024, the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 206 said its decision to dismiss de Lima’s case through demurrer to evidence “cannot be appealed.” A demurrer to evidence motion seeks to dismiss a case on grounds that the evidence presented by the prosecutors is insufficient for a criminal conviction. INQUIRER.net stock images

MANILA, Philippines — The acquittal of former senator Leila de Lima from her last drug case has been affirmed anew as a Muntinlupa court denied the motion for reconsideration (MR) filed by prosecutors.

In a four-page order dated August 7, the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 206 said its decision to dismiss de Lima’s case through demurrer to evidence “cannot be appealed.”

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“The dismissal of a case through the avenue of demurrer to evidence is tantamount to acquittal. Thus, such order of the court cannot be appealed as it will place the accused [in] double jeopardy,” states the court’s order.

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READ: De Lima acquitted in last drug case

“Having failed to cite any instance of grave abuse of discretion on the part of the Court, which is the only thoroughfare to vacating a judgment of acquittal, there is therefore no reason for this Court to reconsider its order,” it added.

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READ: Opposition lauds De Lima acquittal but notes problems in justice system

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Last June, Muntinlupa City RTC Branch 206 Judge Gener Gito granted de Lima’s demurrer to evidence motion concerning her last drug case, which was filed against the ex-senator during the Duterte administration.

A demurrer to evidence motion seeks to dismiss a case on grounds that the evidence presented by the prosecutors is insufficient for a criminal conviction.

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