The Department of Justice (DOJ) will withdraw the motion of prosecutors seeking to overturn the acquittal of Mamamayang Liberal (ML) party-list Rep. Leila de Lima in one of three cases related to illegal drugs.
Last week, a panel of DOJ prosecutors filed a 13-page Motion for Reconsideration before the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 204 to declare De Lima guilty in a drug case.
In a video interview with THEPHILBIZNEWS, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed this development when asked about the actions of the prosecutors handling the case.
“I actually talked to the Prosecutor General… and told him to stop the foolishness of these people under us because they are following a political agenda, not a legal agenda, so we will take over the case,” Remulla said.
He noted that “they will take over the case and move for the case’s dismissal.”
For her part, De Lima welcomed this development and thanked Remulla for “bringing sense and order to the unethical actuations of Provincial Prosecutor Ramoncito Bienvenido Ocampo, Jr. and his Panel.”
The lawmaker is urging the Justice Secretary to deal with the remnants of the Duterte administration, whose loyalty lies not with the DOJ but with Duterte, according to her.
“I was imprisoned for almost seven years with the help and cooperation of these prosecutors who seem to have no conscience in their oppression, not only of me but of our legal system… If they are allowed to get away scot-free with what they have done, no one is safe. They should be made to account for what they have done,” De Lima said.
