The camp of former senator Leila de Lima clarified that the Court of Appeals (CA) did not reverse her acquittal in one of her drug cases.
This comes after a report yesterday about the CA 8th Division’s decision to nullify the acquittal in a drug case at Muntinlupa RTC Branch 204.
In an interview with Brigada NewsFM Manila, Atty. Dino de Leon said that the case is only being sent back to the court for further clarification.
This means that the acquittal still stands, and de Lima won’t need to undergo a retrial, which would be considered double jeopardy.
“”The case is being sent back to the regional trial court solely for the RTC judge to clarify his reasoning. There will be no retrial. That’s not possible because of the constitutional proscription against double jeopardy, so Leila de Lima will never be imprisoned.”Atty. Dino de Leon said
De Lima’s camp is now preparing a motion to appeal the decision and is ready to take it to the Supreme Court if necessary.
The CA’s decision was reportedly based on the fact that the Muntinlupa Court only relied on Rafael Ragos’ recantation or affidavit in its acquittal decision.
(Leila Norma de Lima photo)
Abner is an award-winning journalist. He received the prestigious 2015 Titus Brandsma Award for Community Communication in the Philippines and participated in the 2016 International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) of the United States of America, sponsored by the US Embassy in the Philippines. Founder of WATCH NORTH COTABATO, a media-citizens’ transparency group. He worked as a correspondent for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and CNN Philippines. His experience in broadcasting includes anchoring for Brigada News FM in Kidapawan and General Santos City and Brigada News TV. He anchors Tira Brigada via 105.1 Brigada News FM Manila, Mondays-Saturdays.