Prosecutors back down in de Lima case

Former senator Leila de Lima (middle), flanked by cheering supporters, wins an acquittal in herthird and last drug case in this photo taken outside the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court building on June 24, 2024. — Photo by Grig C. Montegrande

MANILA, Philippines — The panel of prosecutors handling the case of Leila de Lima has withdrawn its motion seeking a reversal of the former justice secretary’s acquittal in a drug case.

“The Prosecution, through the undersigned panel of Public Prosecutors and unto the Honorable Court, after consultation and upon instructions of the Honorable Prosecutor General, most respectfully moves for the withdrawal of the motion for reconsideration dated 14 July 2025 that was filed on even date,” read the motion submitted by the panel of prosecution dated July 23, 2025.

In its motion for reconsideration (MR), the panel led by Provincial Prosecutor Ramoncito Bienvenido Ocampo Jr. maintained that despite the recantation of its principal witness, former Bureau of Corrections officer-in-charge Rafael Ragos, other pieces of evidence are sufficient to prove the crime charged.

However, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has talked to Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon not to pursue the case against de Lima, now party-list representative.

“Yes, we spoke about it and instructions have been given to the panel head to immediately cause the withdrawal of the MR,” Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon said.

What prompted the withdrawal of the motion for reconsideration?

Fadullon said, “It should not have been filed in the first place” because of double jeopardy, among others.

He said the decision to file the immediate withdrawal was not because of de Lima’s appeal but “an initiative on the part of the DOJ (Department of Justice).”

De Lima, a critic of former President Rodrigo Duterte and his bloody war against illegal drugs, was charged with three drug trafficking cases in 2017 and spent more than six years in jail while on trial.

After being cleared in two cases, she was released on bail in November 2023.

De Lima was acquitted in June 2024 in the final case, in which she was accused of taking money from New Bilibid Prison inmates when she was justice secretary to allow them to sell drugs. /das