THE dilemma of former senator and now Rep. Leila de Lima (Mamamayang Liberal PL) is not yet over as the Department of Justice (DOJ) has asked the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court to overturn its decision acquitting her over drug-related charges.
“The Prosecution most respectfully prays that the Honorable Court’s decision dated June 27, 2025 be reconsidered, and a new decision rendered declaring both accused guilty of the crime charged,” said the dispositive portion of the motion for reconsideration dated July 14.
To recall, the Muntinlupa City RTC Branch 204, in a decision dated June 27, 2025, cleared De Lima and her co-accused Ronnie Dayan of the charges, more than a month after the Court of Appeals remanded the case and ordered Presiding Judge Joseph Abraham Alcantara to write a new decision.
The CA said the earlier decision did not contain details to justify her acquittal.
In acquitting De Lima and Dayan, the trial court ruled that the prosecution failed to establish that they conspired beyond reasonable doubt, particularly after former Bureau of Corrections Officer-in-Charge Rafael Ragos recanted his testimony linking them to the illegal drugs trade inside the facility.
Prior to his recantation, Ragos had claimed that he delivered P10 million to De Lima’s house in Parañaque in November and December 2012.
The money, he claimed, came from the proceeds of the illegal drugs trade and would be used purportedly to fund De Lima’s senatorial run.
The DOJ has yet to provide a full copy of its motion while lawyers for De Lima could not be reached for comment as of press time.
