Makabayan solons file reso seeking De Lima’s release from detention

The Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives has filed a resolution calling for the release of detained former Senator Leila de Lima.

House Resolution 198 called on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to drop the two remaining drug-related charges against De Lima "in light of the recent recantations given by key witnesses in her drug cases and to move for  her release from unjust and arbitrary detention."

"Every day that justice is not served amounts to a mockery of the whole justice system. It is thus incumbent upon the House of Representatives to call on its co-equal branches of the government to be true to  their mandate of ensuring that justice is served without passion or prejudice and always with fairness," the resolution read.

The resolution was signed by Kabataan party-list Representative Raoul Manuel, Alliance of Concerned Teachers party-list Representative France Castro, and Gabriela party-list Representative Arlene Brosas.

De Lima, a critic of former President Rodrigo Duterte and his controversial drug war, has been detained in Camp Crame since February 2017. One of the three cases filed against her was dismissed by the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court in February 2021.

Government witnesses -- self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa, former Bureau of Corrections official Rafael Ragos, and Marcelo Adorco, Espinosa's supposed bodyguard and driver -- have all recanted their testimonies linking De Lima to the illegal drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison when she was DOJ secretary during the Aquino administration. These witnesses claimed they were coerced into making such statements against De Lima.

'Political harassment'

According to Manuel, De Lima's detention "is a form of political harassment."

"She was detained shortly after she was elected senator, and it was ensured that she will have a hard time performing her job since she was not even allowed to participate in Senate deliberations even in an online conference," Manuel said Tuesday.

Castro said the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. could prove that it is for unity by releasing De Lima.

"Kung totoo iyong unity na sinasabi ni Pangulong Marcos Jr., isa ito sa paraan [para patunayan iyon]...kung makikipag-unite siya sa hindi niya kapartido. Isa itong paraan para maipakita na ipagkakaisa niya ang mamamayan: Palayain si Leila de Lima," she told reporters.

(If President Marcos is indeed for unity, this is one way of showing it. Stand united with someone who is not from his political party to show he is really for unity. Leila de Lima should be freed.)

Right after opposition Senators Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III and  Risa Hontiveros filed a Senate Resolution calling for De Lima's release last month, Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla said the merits of the evidence will be decided upon by the courts.

Remulla's office reiterated this position on Tuesday. 

“It is the former senator's turn to present evidence so the court can decide on the facts presented to it,” Atty. Mico Clavano from the Office of the Justice Secretary told GMA News Online.

“The Department is one with the President in his call for unity. We are simply going through the legal processes available to our democracy,” he added.

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles, meanwhile, said "no comment" when sought for Malacañang's reaction.  —with Joahna Lei Casilao/KBK/VBL, GMA News