Human Rights Watch: Drop ‘politically motivated’ charges vs. De Lima

Research and advocacy group Human Rights Watch on Sunday urged Philippine officials to immediately drop "politically motivated charges" against Senator Leila de Lima, claiming such cases debase the rule of law.

"The prosecution of Senator Leila de Lima is an act of political vindictiveness that debases the rule of law in the Philippines," Phelim Kine, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said in an emailed statement.

"The Duterte administration seems intent on using the courts to punish prominent critics of its murderous 'war on drugs,'" he said.

The Human Rights Watch said that the "politically motivated charges" came after De Lima spoke out against President Rodrigo Duterte's campaign against illegal drugs.

"The prosecution of De Lima follows a relentless government campaign of harassment and intimidation against her in response to her outspoken criticism of Duterte's 'war on drugs' and her demands for accountability for the thousands of Filipinos killed by police in that campaign since July 1, 2016," it said.

The Human Rights Watch also questioned the testimonies against De Lima, as the witnesses against her were reported to have been given benefits inside the New Bilibid Prison.

"An official probe subsequently found that [Vitaliano N.] Aguirre [III], as justice secretary, had personally authorized perks for those inmates including 'use of electronic gadgets, smart television sets, air-conditioning units, internet, [and] cellular phones' as an apparent reward for their testimony," it said.

Aguirre has earlier denied such claims.

De Lima has been charged with three separate drug cases before the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court  for violation of Section 5 (sale and trading of illegal drugs) in relation to Section 3 (jj), Section 26 (b), and Section 28 (criminal liability of government officials and employees) of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The local court may decide this week whether or not to issue an arrest warrant against De Lima. —Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/ALG, GMA News