Leila de Lima case: 2024 brings justice, freedom

Graphics by: Samuel Yap / INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines-Former senator Leila de Lima’s case has been one of the most closely watched legal battles in the Philippines and by human rights advocates worldwide.

Despite maintaining her innocence on allegations that she was involved in the illegal drug trade, the former senator has been in police detention for six years, eight months, and 24 days.

READ: Timeline: The ordeal of Leila de Lima

Senator Leila De Lima is being escorted by members of CIDG out of the Senate following his warrant of arrest due to drug related cases filed against her.INQUIRER PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES

She said she earned the ire of then president Rodrigo Duterte due to her outspoken stance against his administration’s bloody crackdown on illegal drugs and human rights violations during his term as mayor of Davao City. When Duterte assumed the presidency, he openly attacked De Lima in his regular evening Talk to the People.

READ: Duterte tells De Lima: I have witnesses against you

Despite winning a Senate seat, her physical presence at the Senate was shortlived. She was arrested in February 2017. Her detention has epitomized the adage, “Justice delayed is justice denied.”  Initially, her bid to post bail was denied. Even her habeas data petition was dismissed by the Supreme Court, which affirmed Duterte’s immunity from suit.

READ: Junking De Lima petition, SC upholds Duterte immunity

But still, the former senator saw through her ordeal that she was never absent at every trial in the three Muntinlupa courts that heard her case.

Six judges either inhibited themselves from handling De Lima’s cases or retired from the judiciary during the trial, the last being Muntinlupa RTC Branch 204 Presiding Judge Abraham Joseph Alcantara, who recused from the case in July 2023.

Alcantara inhibited hinself from the case as he was the same judge who junked the prosecution’s case in a “near-identical” case in May 2023.

Turning point in De Lima’s case

Former senator Leila de Lima attends the hearing for the prosecution to present rebuttal evidence against her. | PHOTO: Atty. Leila de Lima’s office

In May 2023, the Muntinlupa Court dismissed the second illegal drug trade case against her due to lack of merit.

Then, key witnesses recanted their testimonies, saying they were only coerced into testifying against the former senator.

READ: 7 more inmates recant testimonies vs Leila de Lima

De Lima was also finally allowed by the court to post bail for her temporary liberty.

READ: Why did Court grant bail for De Lima and others?

Developments in 2024

TARP SAYS IT ALL Former Sen. Leila de Lima (center, with scarf) is greeted by her supporters, led by peace advocate Teresita “Ging” Deles (fourth from left), after the Muntinlupa City court on Monday cleared her of the last drug-related case filed by the Duterte administration. —GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

The year 2024 is what the former senator has been waiting for as the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 206 Presiding Judge General Gito cleared De Lima in her last drug case last June.

The court ruled that the testimonies of government witnesses were not sufficient to prove the accusations linking the former senator to the illegal drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa when she was still the secretary of juetice.

READ: De Lima acquitted in last drug case

That same month, the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 76 dismissed the two disobedience cases against the former senator.

The Quezon Ciry court dismissed the case due to the prosecution’s “inexcusable absences and requests for resetting,” which violated De Lima’s right to a speedy trial.

READ; QC court dismisses disobedience case vs De Lima

In August 2024, the court dismissed the prosecution’s appeal and upheld De Lima’s acquittal. 

“The prosecution, in its Motion for Reconsideration, did not even ascribe grave abuse of discretion on the part of the Court. It did not cite any instance in the Court’s Order that in having such a kind of conclusion, the Court encroached into the area of grave abuse of discretion,” the QC court said.

“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 dated July 19, 2024. Wherefore, premises considered, the Motion for Reconsideration is denied,” it added.

The nature of De Lima’s case showed the struggles faced by individuals who challenged powerful political interests. Although it took her almost seven years, her legal victory proves justice is not elusive.

Looking forward

De Lima said she is trying to build her life back.

She is currently aiming for a congressional seat and appeared during the legislative investigation against Duterre.

Will she file a case against those who  persecuted her? She said such an option is being studied and will be announced soon.

READ: De Lima bares what’s next for her after acquittal

De Lima’s quest for accountability is something to look forward to in 2025.