Prosecutors Demand Reversal of De Lima Acquittal
Government prosecutors have urged the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 204 to overturn its June 27, 2025 decision acquitting former senator and current party-list Representative Leila de Lima. The prosecutors remain steadfast in contesting the ruling, asserting that sufficient evidence still supports the charges against her despite the recantation of a key witness.
In a 15-page motion for reconsideration, led by Provincial Prosecutor Ramoncito Bienvenido Ocampo Jr., the prosecution emphasized that other testimonies and proof outweigh the withdrawal of statements by ex-Bureau of Corrections officer-in-charge Rafael Ragos. They argued that the court’s acceptance of Ragos’ recantation ignored the thorough procedures ensuring the legitimacy of his original testimony.
“By accepting the subsequent recantation of witness Ragos hook, line and sinker, the Honorable Court repudiated all these solemn proceedings, without consideration on how the courts and other bodies conducted the proceedings to ensure the voluntariness and veracity of the statements/allegations made by witness Ragos, nor offered an explanation why the statements made by witness Ragos in those proceedings should not be believed and discarded,” the motion stated.
Evidence Points to De Lima’s Role in Drug Trade
The prosecution maintains that multiple pieces of evidence implicate De Lima and her former bodyguard, Ronnie Dayan, in illegal drug operations inside New Bilibid Prisons. Ragos’ testimony was corroborated by other witnesses on key points, strengthening the case against them.
Moreover, the prosecution highlighted the trial court’s failure to abide by the Court of Appeals’ Eight Division directive. In May 2025, the appellate court declared null and void the RTC’s May 12, 2023 acquittal of De Lima, citing grave abuse of discretion by the trial judge Joseph Abraham Alcantara for basing the acquittal mainly on Ragos’ recantation.
Court of Appeals Orders Case Remanded
The Court of Appeals criticized Judge Alcantara for violating constitutional and procedural rules requiring transparency and reasoned judgments. The appellate court pointed out that the trial court did not specify which parts of Ragos’ statements were retracted or analyze how these affected the prosecution’s evidence. It also said the court failed to detail which crime elements were not proven.
As a result, the CA ordered the case be sent back to the trial court for proper resolution following legal standards. However, the RTC reaffirmed its earlier decision, again siding with De Lima and Dayan, insisting that Ragos’ recantation upheld the presumption of innocence guaranteed by the Constitution.
Witness Testimony and Recantation Dispute
Before recanting, Ragos claimed he delivered P10 million in drug money to De Lima’s Parañaque residence in late 2012, allegedly to fund her senatorial campaign. The prosecution argued the trial court ignored how this earlier sworn testimony, given under oath in various forums—including Congress, preliminary investigations, and courts—supports the charges.
They stressed that Ragos’ original statements were extensively examined and challenged to test their truthfulness. “It bears stressing that in all these occasions, witness Ragos took an oath and swore to tell. In the hearings he attended up to his presentation as witness for the prosecution, he was interpelated and tested to determine if he was telling the truth,” the prosecutors said.
The motion further noted the court’s failure to compare Ragos’ original and retracted statements or explain why the latter should be accepted over the former.
De Lima Responds to Renewed Charges
When asked for comment, Representative De Lima expressed frustration, saying, “I don’t understand what the prosecution is trying to do! Put me in triple jeopardy after nearly seven years in unjust detention? Hindi na lang katawa-tawa ang ginagawa nila, nakakagalit na.”
This ongoing legal battle continues to stir intense debate and emotions across the nation.
For more news and updates on De Lima acquittal challenged anew, visit Filipinokami.com.
