SENATOR Leila M. de Lima, who lost in this year’s senatorial race, is seeking a review of her drug trafficking charges by the incoming Justice secretary, according to her lawyer and spokesman.
“Regardless of who shall be the Justice secretary, considering the three recantations, it is very evident that these contrived charges are starting to fall and it is important to review the case,” lawyer Dindo S. de Leon told the ABS-CBN News Channel on Tuesday.
At least three witnesses have retracted their testimonies implicating Ms. De Lima — one of the most outspoken critics of President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s war on drugs — in the illegal drug trade. They claimed to have been coerced by government officials into falsely accusing her.
Last week, incoming Justice Secretary and Cavite Rep. Jesus Crispin C. Remulla said he was open to reviewing the case against the senator, who has been in jail since February 2017. He also noted that courts generally frown upon retractions.
“Hopefully Incoming Secretary Remulla would review the case,” Mr. de Leon said. “Any reasonable person or lawyer would see that these are authored, contrived charges by the state to persecute somebody who was telling the truth.”
Another witness, Joel Capones, on Monday testified in a Muntinlupa court that he did not have knowledge of the alleged drug money worth P1.4 million that allegedly went to Ms. De Lima.
Mr. De Leon said Mr. Capones is a crucial witness since he was the only one to have admitted having engaged in the illegal drug trade.
He said the drug trader initially claimed to have seen Ms. De Lima receiving the drug money from convicted drug lord Jaybee Sebastian inside the national penitentiary.
Last week, a Muntinlupa trial court dismissed a contempt case against the senator and her lawyer.
Mr. Remulla on Monday said he would abide by the constitution once he assumes office, amid worries from various rights groups over his history of labeling political activists communists. — John Victor D. Ordoñez
