Supreme Court facade. INQUIRER FILE PHOTORAM/rga
No immediate relief for Senator Leila De Lima as the Supreme Court ordered the respondents in her petition to respond to her bid to stop the proceedings in court and nullify the order for her arrest.
In a press conference on Tuesday, high court’s Information Chief Atty. Theodore Te said respondents have 10 non-extendible days or until March 10 to submit their comment.
The high court also set the case for oral argument on March 14.
Named respondents in her petition include Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Judge Juanita Guerrero, Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Ronald Dela Rosa, Superintendent Philip Gil M. Philipps, Director of the PNPs Support Service, Supt. Arnel Jamandron Apur, Chief of the PNPs Custodial Service Unit.
READ: Muntinlupa court orders arrest of De Lima
De Lima, in her petition, said Judge Guerrero committed grave abuse of discretion in prematurely issuing a warrant for her arrest.
She said because of Guerrero’s order, her constitutional, legal and procedural rights have been violated.
She said the judge acted with undue haste and inordinate interest when she issued the warrant of arrest despite pending motion to quash.
De Lima, now detained at the PNP custodial center, argued that the allegations against her do not actually constitute sale and trading of illegal drugs and liability of government officials under Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act), but rather only direct bribery.
READ: De Lima questions Muntinlupa RTC’s jurisdiction on drug raps
And under the law, petitioner stressed that such charges should fall under the jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan—not the RTC—because her position at that time was secretary of justice which has salary grade higher than 27.
Tuesday’s en banc was presided by Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio because Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno is attending a high level learning in London which includes series of meetings with UK agencies to share best practice and information on competition law and on law and economics. On the other hand, Associate Justice Bienvenido Reyes is on wellness leave. Both magistrates will be back on Wednesday. RAM/rga