Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 13) — Former Senator Leila de Lima filed a motion for reconsideration on Tuesday seeking to overturn a decision denying her bail for her last remaining drug case.
The Honorable Court committed grave but reversible errors in its 07 June 2023 Order finding that he Prosecution has met the burden of proof necessary in a bail hearing, purportedly showing that the evidence of the Prosecution against herein Accused is strong so as to deny her the right to bail in a capital offense case,” the motion said.
Muntinlupa Court Branch 256 denied de Lima’s request for bail last week, meaning she would remain in detention. The final bail plea related to a case where the former lawmaker was accused of engaging in illegal drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison.
The Honorable Court gravely erred in using probable cause as the standard of proof in denying bail, instead of proof that the evidence of guilt is strong,” de Lima’s motion said, adding there was never an instance where points raised by the accused were cited.In doing so, the Honorable Court merely relied on the testimonies of the Prosecution’s witnesses, as if no cross-examination was ever conducted by all the accused in this case,” it added.The motion went on to say that the court’s reliance solely on the prosecution witnesses was “unprecedented, unfounded, and almost brazen,” adding the decision to grant bail should be made after a thorough examination of all evidence.
