Supreme Court allows media coverage of De Lima trial

The Supreme Court (SC) has allowed media coverage of the trial of Senator Leila de Lima for drug charges before the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court (RTC). 

In a notice of resolution obtained Friday, the high court ordered the Justice Reporters' Association (JUROR) and the Justice and Court Reporters' Association (JUCRA) to propose guidelines to the media's courtroom access during hearings of the cases against the detained senator.

The decision stemmed from the request of Rappler's justice reporter, Lian Buan, for the news site to be permitted the cover the proceedings after Judge Lorna Navarro-Domingo, who has since inhibited from the case, prohibited media access to the hearings.

The justices said they will not act on Buan's request until JUROR and JUCRA have filed their proposed guidelines and the Court has approved them, but ordered the Muntinlupa RTC to "grant courtroom access to as many media representatives as may be accommodated" in case hearings are set while the matter is pending.

At least four members of the media should be granted access, and they will be chosen by drawing lots facilitated by the branch clerk of court, the SC said.

"As manifested in the letter-request, no cameras or any other recording devices shall be allowed inside the courtroom," it added.

De Lima, a staunch administration critic, has been detained for more than a year as she stands trial for her alleged involvement in the New Bilibid Prison illegal drug trade during her term as Secretary of Justice. She has repeatedly denied the charges. — Nicole-Anne C. Lagrimas/RSJ, GMA News