Remaining drug case of De Lima continues

MANILA — The Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 206 has made a ruling on the formal offer of evidence filed by the prosecution in the remaining illegal drug case of former senator Leila de Lima on Monday. 

In criminal case 167, convicted drug dealer Herbert Colanggo accused de Lima of receiving P100 million drug money in Bilibid.

In November 13, 2023, de Lima was granted bail.

Earlier Monday, all the documentary exhibits and physical exhibits were admitted by the court, according to prosecutors Atty. Ramoncito Ocampo and Atty Darwin Cañete. 

They added all were accepted except for the soft copy of a forensic chemistry report.

The prosecution still hopes for a conviction.

“We are always hoping to in any case but at the end of the day, we leave it to the judgment and wisdom of the discretion of the trial court, yung outcome” said Cañete.

“Di naman ito katulad ng boxing, may draw. May nanalo may natatalo, it will depend on the appreciation of the presiding judge. Whatever evidence that will be presented to him for evaluation,” said Ocampo.

De Lima’s camp, meanwhile, filed for a motion for leave and demurrer for evidence.

The court has has given the defense 10 working days while the prosecution 15 working days to file a commentary or opposition for motion for the filed motions.

Demurrer to evidence is tantamount to motion to dismiss, according to De Lima’s counsel, Atty. Filibon Tacardon. 

He added that if granted, the case is likely to be dismissed and if denied, the defense will present their own evidence.

“We are always hopeful, we are always optimistic dahil alam naman namin na, yung causa namin is tama,” said de Lima.

Unlike the previous hearings when detained at Camp Crame, de Lima went to the court on her personal vehicle, and not on a PNP vcehicle. De Lima said she still getting used to it.

“Oo nga, naninibago ako, although nakita ko nga mayroong kanina na mga PNP vehicles, sabi ko alangaan naman ako eh escort pa rin ng mga yan. Wala na ako sa kulungan, nakakapanibago, na kakaway-kaway lang ako sa inyo noon, halos hindi ako mainterview di ba? Now I’m free, feeling free. Feeling rejuvenated.”

The next hearing is set on May 27, 2024.