Muntinlupa judge’s decision to inhibit ‘a step in the right direction’ – De Lima

Senator Leila de Lima. (File photo by MARIANNE BERMUDEZ / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Senator Leila De Lima welcomed on Tuesday the decision of Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court Judge Juanita Guerrero to inhibit from handling the drug charge against her, saying the judge’s decision was “a step in the right direction.”

“The news of the inhibition of Judge Guerrero is a welcome one,” the detained senator said in a statement.

READ: Muntinlupa RTC judge inhibits from De Lima drug case]

“We do not rejoice that it became necessary to ask for the inhibition of a member of the judiciary, but circumstances, and especially the way she has thus far handled the case, have shown that it had to happen if justice has any chance of being truly and faithfully served,” she added.

In 2017, De Lima sought the inhibition of Guerrero citing “obvious partiality and questionable independence.”

Last Monday, Guerrero, who had ordered De Lima’s arrest, inhibited from handling the detained legislator’s illegal drug case.

“But we have to remain vigilant in ensuring that constitutional and human rights are not again trampled upon. Judges, after all, are among those who ought to be at the forefront of our fight for justice,” De Lima noted.             /kga