The Supreme Court is set to hold the second round of oral arguments on Tuesday afternoon for the petition filed by Senator Leila De Lima.
De Lima had asked the high tribunal to lift the warrant of arrest issued for her by Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Juanita Guerrero and to stop the lower court from hearing the drug charges filed against her by the Department of Justice (DOJ).
In last week’s hearing, Supreme Court justices expressed the concern that it could be too premature on the part of the senator to seek relief from the High Court.
This was because the lawmaker also has a pending motion before the three lower courts in Muntinlupa which sought to quash the criminal complaints.
Former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay represented De Lima in the oral arguments.
He told the magistrates that they elevated the case in the high tribunal since it is of transcendental (extremely special) importance.
De Lima's camp also maintained that it is the Ombudsman, and not the regional trial courts, that has jurisdiction over complaints filed against public officials like her.