Leila’s drug trial reset

MANILA, Philippines - The Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court (RTC) yesterday reset the arraignment of detained Sen. Leila de Lima on illegal drug charges.

Muntinlupa RTC Branch 205 Judge Amelia Fabros-Corpuz rescheduled the arraignment on Sept. 15, granting the request of government prosecutors.

In an order issued on Thursday, Corpuz gave prosecutors 15 days or until Aug. 25 to submit its rejoinder and additional evidence.

De Lima’s legal counsel, former senator Rene Saguisag, told reporters they withdrew their motion to quash seeking to dismiss the complaint filed by the Department of Justice.

Saguisag said they will include in their motion recent statements by President Duterte and other government officials concluding De Lima is already guilty.

“For the president, as a lawyer, to keep condemning someone in court will really persuade policemen, prosecutors, judges to toe the line,” Saguisag said.

The case at Branch 205 stemmed from the complaint of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption, accusing De Lima of benefiting from the illegal drug trade at New Bilibid Prison.

The complaint was based on the statements of drug convicts who testified in a hearing at the House of Representatives.