MANILA, Philippines (3rd update, 6:20 p.m.) — The Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Muntinlupa City issued on Thursday an arrest warrant for Sen. Leila De Lima over drug charges by the Department of Justice (DOJ), the STAR reported.
Presiding Judge Juanita Guerrero of RTC Branch 204 issued the arrest order against the senator.
In issuing the order, Guerrero has found probable cause in the case filed by the DOJ.
"After a careful evaluation of the herein information and all the evidence presented during the preliminary investigation conducted in this case by the Department of Justice, Manila, the Court finds sufficient probable cause for the issuance of Warrants of Arrest against all the accused Leila M. De Lima, Rafael Marcos Z. Ragos and Ronnie Palisoc Dayan," the arrest order read.
Alex Padilla, lawyer for De Lima, questioned the integrity of the court, saying that it might be being used as an "adjunct" of the executive branch.
"It's disappointing that our regular courts are being used as adjunct of the executive department. And they have practically thrown away their independence,"
He also expressed sadness over the arrest order. He said that he was not even sure if the judge managed to read pertinent documents to the case.
"I don't think she even read our pleadings or the evidence that was shown. So unfortunate talaga, nakakalungkot," Padilla said.
Arrest to happen anytime
In a phone patch interview on ANC, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III said that police officers were already in the premises of the Senate to enforce the arrest order.
He said that he wanted the arresting officers to enforce the order "firmly but respectfully."
Reporters waiting for Sen. De Lima who has been issued a warrant of arrest by the Muntinlupa RTC pic.twitter.com/0oJfuvIQqp
— Marvin Sy (@hey_marv) February 23, 2017
De Lima’s cases were raffled off to Muntinlupa RTC branches 204, 205 led by Judge Amelia Fabros-Corpuz) and 206 led by Judge Patria Manalastas-de Leon on Monday.
De Lima is facing three charges in relation to her alleged collusion with inmates and protection of the illegal drugs trade at the National Bilibid Prison in exchange for money during her time as Justice secretary of the Aquino administration.
She is accused of violating Section 5 of the Dangerous Drugs Act that prohibits the sale, trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution and transportation of illegal drugs.
Last week, De Lima expressed her preparation for the "worst-case scenario" in the cases the DOJ was preparring against her.
De Lima, one of the staunchest critics of the chief executive's war on drugs, has repeatedly pointed to President Rodrigo Duterte as the man behind the legal headwinds she is facing. She said that it had always been the wish of Duterte to jail her. — with a report from Marvin Sy