Former Senator to Appeal Court Decision
Former Senator Leila De Lima announced on Thursday her intention to appeal to the Supreme Court after the Court of Appeals (CA) nullified a Regional Trial Court (RTC) ruling that acquitted her and her former aide Ronnie Dayan from drug-related charges. The appeal seeks to challenge the CA’s move, which questioned the RTC’s acquittal.
De Lima emphasized that despite the CA’s decision, the ruling acquitting her remains legally effective. She explained, “Nonetheless, we will appeal the CA’s decision up to the Supreme Court, if necessary. In the meantime, this does not mean that my acquittal has lost its legal effect. My acquittal is final and unappealable due to the principle of double jeopardy, whereas the CA’s decision is still appealable up to the Supreme Court.” She added, “For now, the RTC’s decision acquitting me still holds greater weight.”
Court of Appeals’ Reasoning Behind Nullifying Acquittal
The Eighth Division of the Court of Appeals issued a 12-page decision granting the petition for certiorari filed by the Office of the Solicitor General. The CA ordered the case sent back to Branch 204 of the Muntinlupa RTC for further proceedings.
The CA criticized Muntinlupa RTC Branch 204 Presiding Judge Abraham Alcantara for not thoroughly discussing the specific facts and laws supporting the acquittal. It stated that the RTC failed to clarify which statements were withdrawn by former Bureau of Corrections chief Rafael Ragos, making it difficult to understand the basis of the acquittal.
De Lima Calls Court of Appeals’ Decision “Puzzling”
Reacting to the CA’s ruling, De Lima described it as “puzzling,” noting that the appellate court seemed to be requesting the RTC to revise its decision due to alleged lack of clarity. She said, “We believe that all the answers to the CA’s questions in their decision can be found in the case records. Perhaps we just need to point out again, through our Motion for Reconsideration, the specific portions of the records where the answers to their questions can be found.”
She further clarified, “I also wish to clarify that the CA did not say that my acquittal was reversed; rather, it only asked for the RTC decision to be clarified or revised — something we believe is unnecessary because the RTC’s ruling is already clear.”
Background on Key Evidence and Legal Proceedings
Rafael Ragos previously alleged that he and aide Jovencio Ablen Jr. delivered P5 million from illegal drug proceeds inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) to De Lima’s residence in Parañaque City back in 2012. However, he retracted this statement in 2022.
The Muntinlupa RTC considered Ragos’ retraction as creating reasonable doubt, which justified the acquittal of both De Lima and Dayan.
De Lima’s Political Plans Amid Legal Battle
Despite the CA’s recent decision, De Lima is set to make a political comeback as the first nominee of the ML Party-list, which secured a seat in the House of Representatives for the 20th Congress.
She assured that the ongoing legal issues will not hinder her return to public office. “Nevertheless, this will not be a hindrance to my return to public service, and I will continue my preparations to advance Justice and Reform in Congress,” she said.
For more updates on drug case appeals, visit Filipinokami.com.