De Lima Calls for Probe on Prosecutors’ Misconduct
MANILA, Philippines — Mamamayang Liberal (ML) party list Rep. Leila de Lima has formally urged the Department of Justice to investigate government prosecutors involved in her drug cases, accusing them of “grave misconduct and gross ignorance of the law.” The call for accountability highlights concerns about prosecutorial abuse in her long legal battle.
De Lima’s request to the DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla comes amid allegations of “politically motivated” and “fabricated” charges that led to her detention for nearly seven years. She described the treatment she endured as an “abuse and injustice” by a panel of prosecutors who relentlessly pursued her case despite her acquittals.
Prosecutors’ Second Motion Sparks Outrage
The former senator criticized the “shocking and brazen” action of a 10-member prosecution panel that, on July 14, filed a second motion for reconsideration before the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court. This move sought to overturn her acquittal in Criminal Case No. 17-165, despite previous court rulings in her favor.
Addressing the DOJ chief, de Lima stated, “Mr. Secretary, the integrity of the Department of Justice has been deeply eroded by this politically motivated persecution. Restoring public trust requires a resolute stand against the abuse of prosecutorial power. The prosecutors who lent their authority to this travesty must not be allowed to continue wielding the powers of the State with impunity.”
Legal Team Targets Prosecutors Involved
According to de Lima’s lawyer, Dino de Leon, the congresswoman specifically seeks an investigation into Provincial Prosecutor Ramoncito Bienvenido Ocampo Jr. and the nine other panel members who signed the contentious pleading. “Their mere withdrawal does not cancel out the fact that they persecuted Leila de Lima and that she was jailed for almost seven years using the awesome powers and entire machinery of the state,” de Leon said.
De Lima was detained in 2017 following three drug-related cases she maintains were fabricated under then-President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration in retaliation for her criticism of his drug war. She has since been fully acquitted of all charges.
Legal Battle Continues Despite Acquittals
The Office of the Solicitor General filed a petition for certiorari with the Court of Appeals to nullify de Lima’s acquittal. The appellate court initially granted the petition in April 2024, voiding her acquittal and remanding the case back to the Regional Trial Court (RTC).
However, on June 27, the RTC issued a revised ruling reaffirming de Lima and her former aide Ronnie Dayan’s acquittal. Despite this, the prosecution panel pushed forward with a second motion for reconsideration, arguing the RTC’s ruling did not fully comply with the Court of Appeals’ directives.
De Lima condemned the filing of the motion without the approval of Justice Secretary Remulla or the Prosecutor General, calling it evidence of “rogue and abusive conduct.” She added that their persistence was not a mere error but a “malicious attempt” to prolong her ordeal.
Double Jeopardy Principle Cited Against Prosecution
De Lima emphasized that the second motion for reconsideration violated the constitutional protection against double jeopardy, a principle she said “every lawyer, let alone a government prosecutor, should know.” She expressed relief in her full acquittal, crediting her unwavering faith and legal team’s diligence.
“Through my unwavering faith and steadfast resolve, and with the tireless efforts of my lawyers, I have been acquitted of all four charges filed against me,” she said. “But the pursuit of justice ought not to end there. There must be a reckoning for those who abused their authority, manipulated the prosecutorial process, and orchestrated this flagrant perversion of the law.”
Next Steps: DOJ and Possible Disciplinary Actions
De Leon expressed hope that the DOJ would conduct an internal investigation into the prosecutors’ conduct. He also revealed plans to seek justice through other legal avenues, including filing complaints with the Office of the Ombudsman.
“We’re also not ruling out the possibility of seeking disciplinary actions because these prosecutors are lawyers,” he added, underscoring the seriousness of the allegations against the prosecution panel.
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