Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 21) — A motion for bail on humanitarian grounds will be the only reason acceptable to the government – and not for lack of evidence – in the illegal drug case of former Senator Leila de Lima, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla told reporters on Thursday that the DOJ “very much” considers the possibility of the court granting bail for De Lima since six years is a long detention period while undergoing trial.
However, he said the former lawmaker wants “to make a political spectacle” out of the petition.
“Her counsels decided to take advantage of our softness on the issue by saying they will file a petition for bail based on lack of evidence, which is very far from the reason why we do not oppose bail,” Remulla said.
“If they insist on making the merits of the cases the ground for bail, then I guess we will have to object to it,” he added.
But De Lima, in a dispatch from Camp Crame, asserted that she should be granted bail based on the merits of her cases.
The former senator was acquitted in one of her three drug cases in February 2021, while two others are pending.
Earlier this week, the DOJ asked a Muntinlupa court to reopen the trial in one of her remaining cases which was already submitted for decision, saying it will present “rebuttal evidence” against her.
Four witnesses have withdrawn their testimonies against De Lima last year, including former Bureau of Corrections officer-in-charge Rafael Ragos.
“After the recantation of Ragos, the prosecution was ready to present its rebuttal evidence because that is allowed by the law and by procedure and by the courts usually,” Remulla said.
“But the court decided to terminate the proceedings and submit it for decision. And it is the feeling of the prosecution – not me, but the panel – that they wanted to present rebuttal evidence on the recantation of Mr. Ragos,” he added.
“I will gain my freedom on the merits, because the DOJ has no case against me from the very beginning,” she wrote.
De Lima also said freedom and justice for her are long overdue.
“I thank Sec. Remulla for his concern about my ordeal, especially after I was taken hostage and almost killed in my detention cell,” she said. “But I cannot thank him as the head of the agency that is primarily responsible for the fabrication of the charges against me during the time of Duterte, and maintained, to date.”
De Lima has been detained since 2017 for allegedly abetting an illegal drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison when she was justice secretary. She has maintained her innocence and accused the Duterte administration of fabricating charges against her for investigating its bloody drug war.
The former senator was acquitted in one of her three drug cases in February 2021, while two others are pending.
