GOVERNMENT prosecutors yesterday withdrew their motion seeking to reverse the decision of the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court acquitting former senator and now Rep. Leila de Lima (Mamamayang Liberal PL) on charges of conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading filed by the previous administration.
The two-page motion to withdraw signed by Provincial Prosecutor Ramoncito Bienvenido Ocampo Jr. and other members of the prosecution panel was submitted to the Muntinlupa court.
“The Prosecution, through the undersigned panel of Public Prosecutors and unto the Honorable Court, after consultations and upon the instruction of the Honorable Prosecutor General, most respectfully moves for the withdrawal of the Motion for Reconsideration dated July 14, 2025 that was filed on even date, “ said the motion to withdraw.
Earlier on Wednesday, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said he has instructed Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon to no longer pursue the case against De Lima.
“I actually talked to the Prosecutor General this morning 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 in a video clip posted on the Facebook page Insurers for Good Governance.
Fadullon confirmed the DOJ secretary’s instruction.
“Yes, we spoke about it and instructions have been given to the panel head to immediately cause the withdrawal of the MR (motion for reconsideration),” Fadullon said, adding the motion to withdraw will be filed with the court within the week.
Fadullon said the prosecution panel only informed him about its move after the motion for reconsideration was filed.
“I learned about it through my staff whom they informed after the panel of prosecutors had already filed it, because apparently it was already the deadline for the filing,” he said.
The prosecution panel, in filing the appeal earlier this month, said they have enough evidence to warrant a reversal of the ruling of Branch 204 of the Muntinlupa RTC.
It was filed after the Muntinlupa court stood its ground on acquitting De Lima after the Court of Appeals remanded the case to the trial court.
De Lima’s camp has decried the prosecutors’ move, saying it smacked of double jeopardy, and threatened to sue the prosecution panel.
In a statement Wednesday, De Lima thanked Remulla for his order, saying it brought sense and order to the “unethical actuations” of Ocampo and the prosecution panel.
“While it is good to hear from no less than SOJ Remulla that these prosecutors were engaging in ‘foolishness’ to forward a political agenda and that ‘they will take over the case and move for the case’s dismissal,’ and based on the latest news report, he has in fact ordered the withdrawal of the MR, 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, as she urged the DOJ to investigate and impose sanctions on Ocampo and the prosecution panel.
“I call on the justice department to properly investigate and sanction them. Our own assessment of the situation reflects the facts stated by SOJ Remulla. The panel of prosecutors, or at least some of them, are acting on the basis of a political agenda. They have been doing so for the past seven years,” she said, noting that insofar as her case is concerned, the prosecution panel seems to still answer to the previous administration.
“They still answer to the Duterte cabal, like many in the government who are still loyal to FPRRD (former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte). By accepting promotions in exchange for their loyalty to Duterte, they have compromised their government positions and continue to serve not the DOJ, but FPRRD,” she also said.
She added the prosecution panel’s acts seriously compromise the DOJ and the National Prosecution Service.
“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,” she said.
