Court of Appeals Clarifies Acquittal Decision
The Department of Justice (DOJ) stated on Friday that the Court of Appeals clarifies the acquittal decision of former Senator Leila De Lima issued by the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC). Contrary to some interpretations, the appellate court did not reverse the acquittal but instead sent the case back to the lower court for clarification of its ruling.
DOJ spokesperson Atty. Mico Clavano explained, “So this is not a reversal per se of the acquittal, it is more of a remanding of the decision to clarify the decision. So ‘yun po ang procedure.” He added that the acquittal is likely to remain in effect for the time being while the case undergoes further review.
“Mukhang magi-stay ang acquittal niya. It is believed na status quo muna ang decision ng RTC habang nililitis pa po ito sa court of appeals dahil may remedy pa po si congresswoman elect na motion for reconsideration doon sa decision na yun,” Clavano noted, emphasizing that the ruling remains status quo as the Court of Appeals continues proceedings.
De Lima’s Response and Next Steps
Former Senator De Lima shared her reaction to the Court of Appeals clarifying the ruling. She expressed confusion about the decision, stating, “Nagtataka lang po kami diyan sa desisyon na ‘yan kasi parang ang sinasabi lang is that hindi masyadong maganda o tama o kulang-kulang ‘yung pagkakasulat nung respondent judge.” According to her, the ruling mainly focused on the quality of the judge’s written decision rather than the merits of the case.
She further clarified, “Wala namang sinasabi doon sa desisyon ng Court of Appeals na magkaroon uli ng paglilitis, ang sinasabi lang ayusin ‘yung desisyon, mag-comply doon sa constitutional standard na sinasabi na dapat malinaw ‘yung nilalagay ‘yung malinaw ilalagay ‘yung batas na sa tingin namin.” This means the appellate court only asked for a clearer explanation in the judge’s ruling without ordering a retrial.
Who Will Handle the Case Moving Forward?
Since the drug case is now remanded to the Muntinlupa RTC, the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) clarified which offices would manage the case as it progresses. Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra stated, “The CA decision speaks for itself. When the case gets remanded to the trial court, the DOJ prosecutors will take it from there. But when it goes up to the Supreme Court, the OSG will continue to represent the people of the Philippines.”
Meanwhile, DOJ spokesperson Clavano emphasized the limited role of the DOJ in this case. “The role of the prosecution ended in the regional trial court. Ang mga prosecutors po ay nag-participate doon sa case sa RTC. Pero kapag nabasa niyo po ang ating batas, kapag inapela po ang isang criminal case sa Court of Appeals, ang magha-handle na po niyan ay ang Office of the Solicitor General.” In other words, DOJ prosecutors handled the case at the trial court level, while the OSG takes over at the appellate stage.
Clarifying the Parties Involved in the Certiorari
Clavano added that De Lima was not a party to the certiorari petition filed by the OSG. Instead, the petition names Muntinlupa RTC Branch 204 Presiding Judge Abraham Alcantara, who originally acquitted De Lima and her former aide Ronnie Dayan of drug charges.
“Maganda rin po i-point out na hindi po si congresswoman-elect De Lima po ang party sa case na ‘yun dahil certiorari po ang finile, kundi ang magiging party po diyan ay ang judge na sinasabing lumabag po sa kanyang hurisdiksyon,” Clavano explained. The petition alleges that the judge committed grave abuse of discretion, which is the basis for the certiorari review.
He clarified, “Kumbaga ang basis for certiorari ay ang alleged grave abuse of discretion ng RTC Muntinlupa. So magandang ipaliwanag po ‘yun, dahil ang ibig sabihin niyan hindi po ang merits ng case ng RTC ang pinaguusapan sa Court of Appeals.” Thus, the Court of Appeals focuses on procedural issues, not the case merits.
Details of the Court of Appeals Decision
In a 12-page ruling dated April 30, the Court of Appeals’ Eighth Division granted the certiorari petition by the OSG and sent the case back to Branch 204 of the Muntinlupa RTC for further clarification. The original acquittal by Judge Alcantara was largely based on the 2022 recantation of Bureau of Corrections Chief Rafael Ragos.
However, the appellate court noted that Alcantara “failed to discuss the specific proven facts as well as the laws upon which his pronouncement of acquittal was based.” Instead, the judge relied solely on the witness’s recantation to discredit the conspiracy claim.
Clavano explained that the Court of Appeals wants a clearer explanation of how Ragos’ recantation impacted the prosecution’s case. “Gusto pong ipaliwanag ng Court of Appeals ay ano po ang naging effect ng pag-recant noh, at ano sa nga statements ni former director general Ragos ang naka-effect sa kaso ng prosecution.”
For more updates on the Court of Appeals clarifies legal cases, visit Filipinokami.com.