Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday urged the Senate to advocate that the drug costs towards Senator Leila de Lima be dropped.
“If the Senate as a body can recommend the filing of charges against individuals and personalities that violate the laws of these land, surely, it can recommend the dropping of charges against those who are victimized by these laws and those who need the law and the Constitution’s protective mantle,” Hontiveros mentioned in a privilege speech.
“A few days after we commemorated the 6th anniversary of her detention, I say, Mr. President, dear colleagues, and I hope you say with me– free Leila now,” she added.
In her speech, the opposition lawmaker identified 4 key witnesses who had testified towards de Lima – Kerwin Espinosa, former Bureau of Correction chief Rafael Ragos, Ronnie Dayan, and Marcelo Adorco – had retracted their statements.
Hontiveros additionally mentioned that the latest Supreme Court resolution granting former Senator Juan Ponce Enrile Chief of Staff Gigi Reyes’ writ of habeas corpus petition additionally benefitted de Lima.
The SC resolution acknowledged that Reyes’ continued detention had “become oppressive thus infringing upon her right to liberty.”
Furthermore, “[w]hile the writ is generally not available to a person whose liberty is under the custody of an officer under process issued by a court or judge when such custody becomes vexatious, capricious, and oppressive amounting to an infringement on the constitutional right to speedy trial of an accused, the writ of habeas corpus may be provisionally availed of.”
Pointing to this resolution, Hontiveros mentioned that the suitable to a speedy trial was actionable because it was a proper afforded to all residents and a proper that de Lima might legitimately avail.
“This is not about being in the opposition. This is not about the past or present administrations. This is simply the invocation of a human right that all Filipinos are entitled to,” Hontiveros argued.
In January, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III mentioned de Lima was a “candidate beneficiary” of the Supreme Court resolution.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier mentioned he wouldn’t object to a potential bail plea from de Lima after urging them to file a petition for a writ of habeas corpus.
De Lima has been detained on the Philippine National Police Custodial Center at Camp Crame since February 2017 over allegations that she benefited from the unlawful drug commerce contained in the New Bilibid Prison when she was Justice Secretary.
She has repeatedly denied the allegation.
In her sixth 12 months in detention, De Lima mentioned she strongly believed that her vindication is at hand.
The Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court Branch 205 had junked one of many three drug circumstances towards De Lima.
The hearings for the 2 remaining circumstances are ongoing. — DVM, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
