TARP SAYS IT ALL Former Sen. Leila de Lima (center, with scarf) is greeted by her supporters, led by peace advocate Teresita “Ging” Deles (fourth from left), after the Muntinlupa City court on Monday, June 24, 2024, cleared her of the last drug-related case filed by the Duterte administration. INQUIRER/GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
MANILA, Philippines — The United States (US) lauded the exoneration of former senator Leila de Lima from her last drug-related case and urged the Philippine government to resolve all “politically motivated cases” in the country.
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement Tuesday that the US remains “committed to working with the Philippine government to strengthen democracy and human rights.”
“We continue to urge the Philippines to resolve politically motivated cases, including those against journalists and civil society, in a manner consistent with its international human rights obligations and commitments,” he also said.
On Monday, June 24, a Muntinlupa court granted de Lima’s demurrer to evidence petition for the dismissal of the third and final drug case filed against her by the Duterte administration.
READ: Vindication for De Lima as last drug case junked
De Lima’s camp filed the petition in March, arguing that the prosecution’s case has insufficient evidence.
The lower court’s decision to dismiss the drug charges against de Lima is tantamount to an acquittal of the former senator, a staunch critic of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Now, all three drug-related cases that the Duterte administration filed against her are dismissed.
“I feel immense relief and joy right now. I can now rest easier and sleep more soundly,” de Lima said in Filipino during an ambush interview with members of the media after the Muntinlupa court’s decision on her third drug case was announced Monday.
Earlier, European Union (EU) ambassador to the Philippines Luc Véron said the bloc welcomed de Lima’s acquittal as they stand alongside the verdict of justice and human rights.
“I share the joy of Atty. Leila de. Lima and her co-defendants who were cleared of all charges today by the Muntinlupa City Court. After so many years, this is a victory for justice!” Veron said on X (formerly Twitter).
READ: De Lima acquittal in last drug case gets cheers here and abroad
De Lima’s colleagues in the political opposition also expressed happiness over her acquittal.
“Noon pa man, alam kong walang sala si Sen. Leila at umaapaw ang kaligayahan sa puso ko na ngayon ay nakamit na niya ang hustisya. From ‘Free Leila Now’ to ‘Now, Leila is free’,” Sen. Risa Hontiveros said in a statement Monday.
(Even before, I knew that [former] Sen. Leila was innocent and I am extremely glad now that she has achieved justice. From “Free Leila Now” to “Now, Leila is free.”)
“Ito’y patunay na ang katotohanan ay mananaig pa rin ang hustisya sa gitna ng mga kasinungalingan,” human rights lawyer Chel Diokno said on X.
(This proves the truth that justice will still prevail even in the midst of lies.)
Both Hontiveros and Diokno, however, stressed that people who unjustly accused de Lima of wrongdoing “must face the consequences of their actions.”
“[W]e need to focus our attention on those who have wrongly accused her. False charges compromise not only the accused’s reputation but also the integrity of our legal system. We call upon the authorities to pursue and hold accountable those who have perpetuated these unfounded allegations,” Hontiveros added.
“Ang hukuman ay takbuhan ng taumbayan para matamo ang hustisya, hindi ito instrumento para sa maruming pamumulitika (People go to the court to get justice, it is not an instrument for dirty politics),” Diokno also said. — Moss R. Laygo, trainee