Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 8) — Two Muntinlupa Regional Trial Courts (RTCs) have granted Senator Leila de Lima’s request to temporarily leave her detention facility to vote in the May 9 elections.
“Accused De Lima is hereby allowed to exercise her right to vote as a PDL (person deprived of liberty)… on election day, May 9,” the Muntinlupa RTC Branch 256 said in a decision dated April 20, but was only released to the media on Sunday.
The court said De Lima is allowed to cast her vote from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Saint Rita College, Parañaque City.
In a separate order issued by Muntinlupa RTC Branch 204 dated April 29, the court said the senator must be with proper police escorts.
Both courts noted that there is no PDL special polling place established at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame.
The courts said De Lima should shoulder all the expenses for her transport from the custodial center in Quezon City to her polling place.
De Lima is also barred from giving media interviews during her furlough.
“After casting her vote, accused De Lima shall be immediately returned by the jail escorts to her detention facility at PNP Custodial Center, Camp Crame,” Muntinlupa RTC Branch 256 said.
Her team said the lawmaker will vote tomorrow morning.
