Calida hails yet to be released SC decision on De Lima case

MANILA, Philippines — There has been no official announcement yet from the Supreme Court, but Solicitor General Jose Calida has already heralded the decision as one that "enthrones the majesty of the law."

In a statement released noon Tuesday, Calida hailed the yet to be officially released SC decision on Sen. Leila de Lima's petition to nullify her arrest as one that shows that the law is "no respecter of men and women however privileged they are."

Calida said: "This Decision further negates the erroneous perception that the government's war on drugs is waged against the unlettered and the underprivileged."

Director General Ronald dela Rosa, Philippine National Police chief, has already admitted that most of those who die in drug operations are poor because most drug dealers and pushers are poor. 

READ: 'More poor dead in drug war because most pushers are poor'

The national police chief said anti-narcotics operations are also launched against powerful individuals, citing the cases of Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. and wife Susan Parojinog, and Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa. The Parojinogs, Espinosa and Mayor Samsudin Dimaukom of Datu Saudi Ampatauan in Maguindanao were killed in separate police operations. 

Solicitor General Calida represented Muntinlupa Judge Juanita Guerrero, the respondent in De Lima's petition to nullify her arrest and halt court proceedings against her, during the three-day oral arguments.

The detained Senator sought the SC to ask for the nullification of her warrant of arrest that emanated from the sala of Guerrero in Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 204.

De Lima argued that the Sandiganbayan, and not the DOJ, has jurisdiction over her case because the anti-graft court has jurisdiction over complaints filed against government officials above Salary Grade 27.

"In allowing Judge Juanita Guerrero to proceed with the conduct of the trial, the Supreme Court showed its faith in the impartiality, ability and experience of the trial court judges to dispense justice without fear or favor," Calida added.

The Department of Justice indicted De Lima and several others for drug trading charges. The senator was accused of benefiting from the drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison, and of coddling the drug lords inside the national penitentiary.

The SC has yet to release the decision or official voting on the case as of reporting.