DOJ to withdraw appeal on De Lima acquittal

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is set to withdraw its appeal on the Muntinlupa court decision upholding the acquittal of ML party-list Rep. Leila de Lima and her former driver Ronnie Dayan in a drug-related case.

“We did talk and agree to withdraw the MR (motion for reconsideration) filed by the trial prosecutors on the grounds of double jeopardy,” Prosecutor General Dong Fadullon said Wednesday.

In response, de Lima thanked the Justice department for its decision to withdraw the appeal.

“I thank and commend Justice Secretary [Jesus Crispin] Remulla for bringing sense and order. While it is good to hear, the question remains as to what should be done with these prosecutors who have abused our justice system for far too long? ,” de Lima said.

“The panel of prosecutors, or at least some of them, are acting on the basis of a political agenda... I call on the Justice Department to properly investigate and sanction them,” she added.

“I was detained for seven years because of the prosecutors who have no conscience in trampling upon my rights and our justice system. If they are allowed to get away scot-free with what they have done, no one is safe.” —VAL, GMA Integrated News