Solons called for DOJ to drop drug-related charges against former senator Leila de Lima after the recantation of key witnesses.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has been urged to drop drug charges against former Senator Leila de Lima following the retraction of key witnesses and the dismissal of one of the three drug cases that was filed against her.
Different House members filed House Resolution No. 198 calling on the DOJ to drop the remaining drug charges against De Lima with the recent recantations given by key witnesses and to move for her release from unjust detention.
These key witnesses have retracted their previous claims like self-confessed drug dealer Kerwin Espinosa who now denies that De Lima was involved in the drug business. Rafael Ragos, who was the former Bureau of Corrections head, also said that he was forced by former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II. Another key witness is De Lima’s former driver/aide, Ronnie Dayan, who stated that he was also forced by a former lawmaker to admit receiving drug money intended for his boss.
“With these series of recantations, it is becoming increasingly apparent that Senator de Lima’s arrest and continued unjust detention was nothing more than a carefully orchestrated ploy to silence an outspoken critic and passionate human rights advocate,” the lawmakers said.
The lawmakers also advised DOJ that every single day that is passing with no justice being served, is equivalent to a mockery of the entire justice system.
The Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed the bribery complaints against De Lima and Dayan.
According to the resolution from the Office of Ombudsman, Dayan and De Lima have presented witnesses who proved that Dayan has not been a part of any dealings last March 2015 as he is not part of De Lima’s campaign team.
“[S]tatements were inconsistent on how the alleged ₱8 million bribe money was delivered, the sequence of the tranches of delivery, and, more importantly, whether De Lima was ever there to directly receive the money from Kerwin,” the Ombudsman’s document read.
Witnesses also denied that Dayan was in Baguio when De Lima and Espinosa ‘supposedly’ met.
"We're filing this because her jailing is a form of political harassment that has gone on for too long," Rep. Raoul Manuel from Kabataan party-list said
"De Lima has been one of the foremost and exemplary advocates of justice, human rights and the rule of law throughout her lengthy career in public service," the legislators’ resolution stated.
Former Justice Secretary and now- Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra said that his department will not withdraw charges against the former senator despite the recent recantations.
Rep. Manuel said that the recent recantations should be enough reason to at least review the charges against De Lima.
As of now, De Lima is still detained at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in Camp Crame since 2017 for alleged involvement in the drug trade in the national penitentiary, and supposedly using drug money for her political campaign.
Tags: #DOJ, #lawmakers, #Drugs, #Justice