Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 16) — One of the accused in Senator Leila de Lima’s drug case will now testify against her.
Former Bureau of Corrections Chief Rafael Ragos was dropped from the Justice Department’s charge list, according to amendments to the information filed with the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 204 Thursday.
The prosecution also changed its charges against De Lima, from “drug trading” to “conspiracy to commit drug trading.”
Ragos faced charges of violating the Dangerous Drugs Act, for allegedly extorting money from inmates at the New Bilibid Prison between November 2012 and November 2013 to fund De Lima’s senatorial campaign.
Ragos was let off the hook after he detailed sources of P5 million pesos he delivered to De Lima and her bodyguard Ronnie Dayan on Nov. 24, 2012 and Dec. 15, 2012.
De Lima said dropping Ragos from the charge sheet is “supicious.” She called on her co-accused to tell the truth.
“Sana magpakalalaki mga co-accused ko. Huwag na silang magpagamit sa mga kampon ni Duterte na nanggigipit sa akin,” De Lima said in an ambush interview.
[Translation: I hope my co-accused man up. They shouldn’t allow themselves to be used by Duterte’s conspirators, who are making things difficult for me.]
The senator said she doesn’t blame Ragos, saying he could’ve been threatened or pressured. She called on Ragos to tell the truth.
Meanwhile, De Lima’s lawyers said the amendments to her charges show that the prosecution is confused, adding this violates her constitutional right “to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusations” against her.
De Lima asked the Supreme Court for her immediate release, saying her prosecution was “reckless and impulsive.”
The Supreme Court, on a 9-6 vote, dismissed her petition to nullify her arrest.
READ: Supreme Court dismisses De Lima’s petition to nullify arrest on drug charges
De Lima was scheduled for arraignment Thursday, but this was moved to January 24 because of pending motions.
