By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Facing a House panel after being cleared of all drug charges against her, former Senator Leila de Lima on Monday (29 July 2024) stood firm in her accusation that ex-President Rodrigo Roa Duterte was behind the bloody campaign against illegal drugs.
Police records said those killed reached around 6,000 based on police records, but human rights groups maintained that the deaths reached as high as 30,000.
“There is no doubt in my mind that former President Duterte is the mastermind, instigator and inducer of drug war killings,” de Lima said during the House Committee on Human Rights hearing on the so-called extra-judicial killings (EJKs) during the Duterte administration.
De Lima and former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde showed up as resource persons during the committee hearing chaired by Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr.
During Duterte’s term, Albayalde served as the PNP chief from April 2018 to October 2019 and also as regional director of the National Capital Region Police Office from July 2016 to April 2018.
“He (Duterte) must be prosecuted and convicted and he should spend the rest of his life in prison,” de Lima said.
Abante also chided Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa who served as PNP chief during the Duterte administration, for the latter’s previous comment that drug war killings were “collateral damage.”
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — Former Senator Leila De Lima has declared that she is now “completely free” after the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court granted her demurrer to evidence in her third and final drug case.
“With the grant of our demurrer to evidence, which is tantamount to acquittal, that means I am now completely free and vindicated. It’s very liberating,” she said.
“I respected the rule of law despite the pain and the injustice of it all. I confronted the charges head-on and endured the whole process,” De Lima added.
The former senator expressed gratitude to her legal team for their “hard work and extraordinary commitment” in defending her against what she described as “fabricated” charges.
Likewise, De Lima thanked Branch 206 Presiding Judge Gener Gito for his “strong sense of justice and fairness.”
“Napakalaki po o malaki pong bahagi ng aking pagkamit ng hustisya ang makalaya ako ng lubusan,” she said.
The same court granted De Lima bail in 2023 after being detained for almost seven years.
(el Amigo/mnm)
MANILA, Philippines — The Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 206 has dismissed on Monday (24 June 2024) the final drug-related case against former Senator Leila de Lima.
De Lima’s legal counsel, Boni Tacardon, confirmed that the court granted her motion for demurrer to evidence. Filed in March, De Lima’s demurrer argued for the dismissal of the case due to insufficient evidence.
In its ruling, the court determined that the prosecution failed to provide enough evidence to establish De Lima’s guilt.
This marks the third acquittal for the former senator. In February 2021, the Muntinlupa City RTC Branch 205 dismissed one of her three cases.
In May 2023, she received her second acquittal from the Muntinlupa RTC Branch 204, along with her co-accused and former bodyguard, Ronnie Dayan.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Risa Hontiveros stated that the dismissal of former Senator Leila De Lima’s third drug case proves that “justice is based on truth and evidence, not on unfounded charges and political motivations.”
The Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court on Monday (24 June 2024) dismissed De Lima’s third and final drug case.
De Lima’s legal counsel, Atty. Boni Tacardon, confirmed that the demurrer evidence was granted.
According to a Supreme Court decision, “once a demurrer to evidence has been granted in a criminal case, the grant amounts to an acquittal.”
Hontiveros expressed her long-standing belief in De Lima’s innocence.
“She has endured public ridicule and injustices but remained steadfast in her commitment to truth and justice. I have always known that Sen. Leila is innocent, and I am overjoyed that she has now achieved justice,” the senator said.
She urged authorities to pursue and hold accountable those “who have perpetrated these baseless allegations.”
“Justice must be served, and those who have wronged her and our legal system must face the consequences of their actions,” Hontiveros added.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Former Senator and Liberal Party (LP) spokesperson Leila de Lima has assailed Vice President Sara Duterte for defending embattled Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy and for keeping mum on China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
“Higit sa lahat: Taumbayan ang inuuna ng oposisyon. Hindi ang pagpapalawak at pagpapanatili sa kapangyarihan. Hindi ang pagtatanggol sa wanted na religious leader o pagpatay sa libu-libong Pilipino,” De Lima said.
“Lalo namang hindi ang pagbubulag-bulagan sa pang-aapi sa ating mga mangingisda at pang-aagaw sa ating teritoryo ng mga dayuhan,” she added.
De Lima also sharply rebuked former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque for claiming that VP Duterte is now the country’s opposition leader after she tendered her resignation as Department of Education (DepEd) secretary and vice chairperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).
“Uniteam has formally been dissolved and she (VP Duterte) has just become the leader of the opposition,” Roque posted on Facebook.
But De Lima debunked Roque’s declaration.
“Mariing tinututulan ng Partido Liberal ang naging deklarasyon ni dating Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque matapos magbitiw ni VP Sara Duterte sa kanyang posisyon sa gabinete. Aniya, sa pagkalusaw ng Uniteam, si VP Sara na raw ang leader ng oposisyon,” De Lima said in a statement issued by LP.
She argued that an opposition leader should have a foundation of “accountability, transparency, and concern for others,” which she said VP Duterte’s track record lacks.
“Sa kanyang pagbibitiw, wala namang naganap na pag-ako sa responsibilidad, o pagbabago ng mga prinsipyo at paninindigan. Paano naging oposisyon ang may pananagutang hanggang ngayon, sinisingil pa ng taumbayan,” De Lima stressed.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Coinciding the Women’s Month of March, former Senator Leila de Lima on Saturday (02 Mar 2024) said there should be more women political leaders in the country to drive progress and change the nation.
The former lawmaker — who dared to cross swords with former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on the issue of human rights — said more independent-minded and strong-willed women are needed in government to drive progress and change in the nation.
“There should be more women political leaders in our country. We do not have enough women who are independent-minded and strong-willed to fight for what they think the country needs to progress as a nation,” De Lima said.
She noted a shortage of women in government and highlighted the significant contributions women can make to societal change and the country’s development.
De Lima pointed out that among the important traits a woman leader must have are wisdom, critical thinking, and humility.
“We have much to contribute and to change in our society, our culture & in our trajectory as a modernized country and a progressive people,” she quipped.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Despite a court order to return to the National Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City of the 11 inmates who testified against former Senator Leila de Lima, the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Saturday (Dec. 23) has stood firm that they should not be returned to their former detention.
DOJ Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic Clavano IV argued that the inmates must remain at the Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm in Occidental Mindoro.
“We are doing what we think is the right thing to do. Nothing more, nothing less,” Clavano IV claimed.
But De Lima was unimpressed.
“Are they afraid of the Truth? Why are they blocking it? The DOJ’s refusal to transfer the 11 inmate witnesses in my last remaining drug case from Sablayan to NBP only shows the agency’s continuing attempt to stand by its former secretaries’ (Aguirre and Guevarra) bogus charges against me,” De Lima quipped.
Presiding Judge Gener Gito of Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court (RTC) recently ordered the return to the Bilibid the 11 inmates who testified against De Lima.
Gito acted on the motions filed by De Lima and the prosecution.
However, despite the court decision, the DOJ was still looking into legal action to block the transfer of the inmates to NBP.
It explained that it is concerned that such an inmate return would appear as a reward for recanting testimonies against De Lima.
The former senator filed a motion dated Nov. 21 that sought to transfer seven inmates.
She said the inmates sent her a Nov. 17 letter claiming they were forced to testify against her and are concerned for their safety.
On the other hand, the prosecution filed a Dec. 5 motion that sought the transfer of the 11 PDLs “to facilitate smooth and easy access to them.”
Last month De Lima was released on bail.
She is facing only one drug case before the RTC after she was acquitted in two other drug cases.
(IAmigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Claiming that he was bothered by his conscience, another prosecution witness Jerry Valeroso said he is recanting his allegations against former Senator Leila de Lima in her remaining drug case.
Valeroso admitted that he was “disturbed by my conscience” and had planned to recant his allegations as early as 2019.
“However, due to fearing for my life and the safety of my family and loved one[s], I lost the guts to do so,” the retired cop said.
To recall, Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 206 Judge Gener Gito ruled that the testimonies of the prosecution’s 9 witnesses, including Valeroso, “were not able to clearly establish that there exists a conspiracy among them to commit illegal drug trading.”
The court in November allowed De Lima to post bail after nearly 7 years in detention.
Valeroso had alleged that he saw P65 million worth of drug money inside the kubol of a Chinese inmate when De Lima was still a justice secretary.
In a Dec. 19 letter, he told the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 2016 that he wanted to take back his claims “to set free all accused who were wrongfully charged”.
Valeroso added that the allegations were “pure hearsay and full of lies.”
He said he would submit an official affidavit of recantation “as soon as I consult my lawyer.”
(IAmigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — For publicly countering a major decision of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to resume peace talks with communist rebels in his bid to end the 55-year-old Maoist insurgency, Vice President Sara Duterte must resign as secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd).
This was the dare of former Senator Leila de Lima Tuesday (05 December 2023) after VP and Education Secretary Duterte assailed the move of the President to resume the peace talks and even called it “an agreement with the devil.”
“She (VP Duterte) should resign as DepEd Sec if she keeps on publicly opposing BBM’s Cabinet policy decisions that have nothing to do with DepEd,” De Lima posted in X, formerly Twitter.
The former senator added: “She cannot eat cake and keep it too.”
De Lima noted that peace talks is “not within the core competence” of the Vice President as concurrent DepEd secretary.
“The problem with VP Sara’s statement against the peace talks is this — She is still member of Cabinet,” De Lima said.
(ai/mnm)
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — Former senator Leila De Lima has conveyed that deciding on a potential candidacy for the 2025 senatorial elections is not currently a top priority for her.
“Many inquire, ‘What are your plans for 2025? Will you return to the Senate?’ My consistent response to that is, I haven’t given it much thought yet,” De Lima stated in an interview with TeleRadyo.
De Lima, who was detained for nearly seven years on drug charges and recently granted bail, served her initial term in the Senate before her arrest.
She emphasized that her primary focus is on aspects of her personal and family life. “There are more pressing matters in my life—personal issues, family concerns, and sorting out my finances. It’s akin to starting from scratch,” De Lima explained.
Despite her current stance, De Lima affirmed her continued affiliation with the Liberal Party. “I remain part of the Liberal Party—Opposition, for me, that’s the opposition, the Liberal Party. I intend to be part of the opposition if I choose to stay in the political arena.”
(ai/mnm)
MANILA — Former senator Leila De Lima on Tuesday (28 Nov 2023) emphasized that the Philippines’ return to the International Criminal Court (ICC) should not pose a challenge, advocating for cooperation with the tribunal.
De Lima also questioned the withdrawal of the country from the ICC in 2019 under President Duterte’s administration, deeming it questionable and driven by personal interests.
With President Bongbong Marcos considering the possibility of rejoining, De Lima expresses hope for a positive outcome from the ongoing study by the executive department.
She also underscored the importance of ICC membership for attaining justice for victims.
(ai/mnm)
By Ismael Amigo, Sr.
Para tayong nag-dilang anghel.
A few days after this corner discussed (on Saturday, 18 Nov 2023) that the next big “Feature Presentation” after Leila De Lima’s blockbuster release would be no other than the country’s reconnection with the International Criminal Court.
That’s already happening. In fact, it’s boiling up.
Kumbaga sa takure na pakuluan ng tubig na pangkape, nalalapit nang sumipol ito bilang hudyat ng pagkulo.
And mind you, on Friday (24 Nov 2023) VP Sara let out a press lease urging the gentle giants at the House of Representatives to follow, and respect the stand of the Marcos administration on the International Criminal Court (ICC) issue!
Why would VP Sara do that/this?
Could it be that the Davao camp already senses the pot (takure) is nearing the boiling point?
Why would Sen. Bato dela Rosa also issue a statement saying he should already be on guard, prepared for whatever the ICC might ask him to answer?
Granite-like as he is in his decisions, the former chief PNP of the “kill you” FPRRD regime went on to declare that he is actually “avoiding visiting any country” that is ICC-accredited.
We heard that Sen. Christopher BG is also included in the ICC list as one among several respondents of its “crimes against humanity” case directed at the previous regime of FPRRD.
But consistent as he is in the Top 10 senatorial/releectionists in the 2025 mid-term elections, BG prefers to play it cool, silent. Less talk, fewer mistakes.
But no matter what, the ICC thing is the next big THING to happen here!
As we said before, that D5 blockbuster “movie” was simply a prelude, a precursor of the things to come.
If we are not mistaken, Cong Benny Abante of Manila was the one who recently filed a petition at the House to review the possibility of PH reconnecting with the ICC.
The Marcos admin also said “pag-aaralan.”
Why is it important?
It’s because at least 123 countries are states parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
Out of them, 33 are from African States, 19 are from Asia-Pacific States, 18 are from Eastern Europe, 28 are from Latin American and Caribbean States, and 25 are from Western European and other States.
Even Cambodia is a party to that although Southeast Asia is a particularly underrepresented sub-region, with Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, and Vietnam yet to connect with the Rome Statute of the ICC.
On 17 July 1998, the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court was adopted by a vote of 120 to seven, with 21 countries abstaining.
The seven countries that voted against the treaty were China, Iraq, Israel, Libya, Qatar, the U.S., and Yemen.
Nevertheless, why would VP Sara bother herself as to urge the gentle giants of Congress to toe the line regarding PBBM’s stand on the ICC?
The simple answer is that it will besmirch FPRRD’s political reputation and its ripples will also slowly ruin her own gambit in 2028.
I don’t know much about the intricacies of a Queen’s Gambit Declined opening in chess, but there is some parallelism into this as far as VPSD’s 2028 ambition is concerned.
But one thing is sure: as early as now, many are declining this kind of opening.
Maybe, the people want somebody else, somebody gentle but firm far from the “kill you” regime.
Abangan natin mga tao!
MANILA — At the Kapihan sa Manila Bay Forum on Wednesday (22 Nov 2023), hosted by Journalist Marchu Villanueva, former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, and former Justice Sec. Vitaliano Aguirre III revealed an intriguing aspect of the legal proceedings involving Judge Gener Gito of the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 206.
They asserted that Judge Gito was Leila De Lima’s favored student before at San Beda College of Law.
Roque underscored the significance of this special relationship, suggesting that it could be a valid ground for the judge’s inhibition in De Lima’s case. The former officials further alleged bias in the judge’s decision to grant bail to De Lima.
Sec. Aguirre brought attention to financial implications, referencing Rafael Ragos’ affidavit of disassociation. According to Aguirre, Ragos claimed the previous administration coerced him into implicating De Lima in the illegal drug trade, and Aguirre expressed skepticism, stating, “Naniniwala ako na lahat ng mga recant ay may kaakibat na pera yan, kaya si Ragos ay bumaliktad.”
The disclosures come as Sec. Leila De Lima is on the verge of freedom, having been granted bail after seven years of incarceration.
(Benjamin Cuaresma/ai/mnm)
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — Former senator Leila De Lima said that she wanted to adopt the cats saying the feline animals became her company while in her detention cell for almost seven years.
“I do physical chores in my compound, I feed the cats, I feed the chickens. I talked to the cats and they became so attached to me and that’s why I miss them so much,” De Lima said.
De Lima said that she will only adopt her “five favorite cats.”
“Even now, as I think about them I am so saddened. I cannot bring them all,” she said. “If only I could bring them all I could, but so it is not possible for me.”
De Lima earlier said that there was still one cat she wanted to bring home.
“Last night, I was actually, my tears were falling when I was thinking about them because mayroon akong 5 na isinama, pinalabas ko na. Mayroon pa atang isa, hindi pa siya nahuhuli. Ayaw pa pahuli,” the former justice secretary said.
In February 2021, De Lima shared that her source of “joy and delight” are her cats.
“What a delightful sight? In an almost perfect horizontal line formation, my cats (adopted stray cats) welcomed my return here at the detention quarters last Friday, Feb. 12, from my 24-hour medical furlough. All of them with a weary yet accusing stare, as if saying ‘where the hell have you been?’ They obviously missed me,” she said in a Facebook post.
“I had to immediately feed them as most of them had a famished appearance,” De Lima added.
The former senator is out in bail.
(AI/MNM)
Ni Liza Soriano
SINABI ni Senador Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa nitong Martes na hindi pa sila nakakapag-usap ni dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte hinggil sa paglaya ni dating Senador Leila de Lima matapos ang halos pitong taong pagkakakulong.
“Wala po. Hindi pa kami nag-usap tungkol diyan,” ayon kay Dela Rosa, na hepe ng Philippine National Police (PNP) nang arestuhin at ikulong ang dating senadora.
Itinakda ng isang korte sa Muntinlupa ang P300,000 piyansa para sa pansamantalang paglaya ni De Lima.
Si De Lima, na isang vocal critic ni Duterte sa kanyang termino, ay nakalaya mula sa PNP Custodial Center sa Camp Crame, Quezon City noong Lunes ng gabi matapos magpiyansa.
Pinayagan ng Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 206 ang kanyang motion for reconsideration sa kanyang petisyon na makapagpiyansa sa kanyang natitirang kaso sa droga.
Si De Lima at ang kanyang mga kapwa akusado na sina dating Corrections Director Franklin Bucayu, driver na si Ronnie Dayan, Joenel Sanchez, at Jad Dera ay pinayagan ding makapagpiyansa ng P300,000 bawat isa.
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
DESPITE BEING INCARCERATED for nearly seven years for what she described as trumped up drug charges, former senator Leila de Lima still wished for God’s forgiveness for former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
On Monday, the 13th of November, seemed to be a lucky day for De Lima when she was released from her nearly seven years of detention after a Muntinlupa court allowed her to post P300,000 bail for a drug case.
“God forgive him and God bless him. ‘Yun lang muna ngayon,” De Lima told the media.
She has always maintained that the drug charges against her were baseless and politically motivated.
De Lima was arrested in February 2017 over allegations of being in cahoots with inmates at the New Bilibid Prison to sell illegal drugs to fund her senatorial bid.
A known critic of FPRRD, De Lima said she doesn’t want to be “political sounding” immediately after regaining her freedom.
“Marami pa akong gustong sabihin sa kanya pero ‘wag muna. I don’t want to be political sounding tonight, because this is a moment of joy. This is a triumphant moment for me, so as much as possible I want to be gracious. God forgive him and God bless him,” the former senator said on Monday night, November 13.
She added: “He knows what he did to me.”
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
FOR MORE THAN six years former Senator Leila de Lima languished in detention due to drug charges lodged against her by the previous Duterte administration and the granting of her bail on Monday has rekindled hope for the fledgling political opposition to bounce back.
Some political observers told Maharlika NuMedia that De Lima who has become a symbol of vindictiveness of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has the potential to rally and solidify the opposition forces, with Senator Risa Hontiveros who was the sole survivor of the opposition’s humiliating electoral defeat in 2022.
Ironically, Duterte earlier aired his intent to lead the “new opposition” against the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. after the House of Representatives led by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez stripped the P650 confidential funds for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd).
De Lima, who has been a vocal critic of FPRRD, had always maintained that the cases against her were trumped up due to her criticism of the former president.
Monday, the 13th of November, apparently was De Lima’s “lucky day” when she was granted bail by the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court (RTC).
Her legal counsel, lawyer Filibon Tacardon disclosed that “bail was granted” following a hearing held at the Muntinlupa RTC Branch 206.
De Lima’s camp said Judge Gener Gito granted the motion for reconsideration of the former lawmaker who sought a reversal of the denial of her bail that was ruled on by another judge who previously handled the case.
In his order, Gito also granted the motion for reconsiderations of De Lima’s four other co-accused who also sought to be granted bail, namely, former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) officer-in-charge Franklin Bucayu, her former driver Ronnie Dayan, Joenel Sanchez, and Jose Adrian Dera.
The judge’s order stated all five accused are “allowed to post bail for three hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00) each.
It was learned that the drug case pending before Gito is the only one left among three filed against De Lima following her acquittal in the two other drug cases.
Under the remaining drug case, De Lima was charged with receiving P70 million from the proceeds of the illegal drug trading of New Prison Bilibid (NBP) inmates when she was still secretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ).
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
Dropping of the charges and subsequent freedom from detention of former Senator Leila de Lima may reinvigorate the fledgling opposition that is being hijacked by her political nemesis former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte political pundits say.
Some political observers aired this possibility on Wednesday following the renewed call of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) for De Lima’s release from detention after seven long years.
“[The IPU] renews its call, in light of the foregoing, for Ms. de Lima to be released immediately and for the remaining criminal case against her to be dropped,” the international organization of national parliaments said in a decision it adopted in its 212th session.
The international group said it remains convinced that De Lima’s detention for more than seven years was in response to her vocal criticism against Duterte’s drug war and extra-judicial killings.
Several witnesses have recanted their testimonies against De Lima.
Ironically, Duterte recently hinted to become the leader of the opposition, charging that some may had been bought because they have been silent in criticizing President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. that he referred to as “weak” during the 2022 presidential campaign.
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
AFTER SEVEN LONG YEARS, former Senator Leila de Lima may finally see the light of freedom if the court rules in her favor following the unexpected and surprising recantation of two witnesses against her.
Before the hearing started on Monday, October 16, at the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC), convicted policeman Rodolfo Magleo handed his handwritten letter to De Lima, signifying his and police asset Nonilo Arile’s intent to recant.
“We both planned to recant as early as 2018 but due to impossibility of communication, we were not able to do so. We are bothered by our consciences. We do not want you to be a victim of a mistrial, we will reveal it in due time. We are assuring you all that the last case will be dismissed,” said the one-page letter signed by both Magleo and Arile.
The prosecution was taken aback although the letter was immediately submitted to the court.
Magleo, a former cop convicted of kidnapping, was supposed to be put on the witness stand on Monday but the prosecution had no choice but to forego the witness’ statement.
The ball, so to speak, is now up to the discretion of the last remaining court if it decides to free De Lima from detention which has stretched to seven years.
The former senator earned the ire of former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte when she triggered the Senate investigations into Duterte’s “bloody drug war” which human rights groups claimed to have killed 27,000 Filipinos that also caught the attention of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
De Lima was then accused of conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading which her supporters claimed to be “politically-motivated.”
(ai/mnm)