Roque: SC already junked De Lima's appeal

MANILA, Philippines — Ahead of an official announcement from the Supreme Court, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Friday said that detained Sen. Leila de Lima’s appeal on the legality of her drug case has been junked.

During a press briefing, Roque said: “The arrest and detention of Sen. Leila de Lima on illegal drug charges which follow strict legal procedures has even been deemed legal by SC of the Philippines only this week.”

“The SC itself has junked the motion for reconsideration of De Lima that questions the legality of information against her,” he added.

On Tuesday, reports citing unnamed sources said that the SC voted 9-5 to deny with finality De Lima’s motion for reconsideration of her case. A STAR report said that the high tribunal opted to not release the ruling until all concurring and dissenting opinions have been submitted.

But Roque, reacting to the strongly worded resolution issued by the EU parliamentary calling for De Lima’s release, argued: “What are we to do? It is already the Supreme Court that has said this.”

He added that the Philippines has its own laws and justice system that the European lawmakers should respect.

READ: EU lawmakers call on Philippine gov’t to end EJKs, drop terror tag vs rights defenders

Sen. De Lima on Wednesday has expressed her disappointment on the reported court ruling.

She lamented: “[I]t is difficult to understand how an impartial tribunal can allow a citizen to remain under detention when even they themselves cannot agree on the nature of charge.”

On October 10 last year, the high court voted 9-6 to keep De Lima behind bars.

She had argued that considering her position as a senator, it is the Sandiganbayan that has jurisdiction over her person. But the SC ruled that the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court has exclusive jurisdiction over the drug charges against De Lima, even if her position with salary grade higher than 27 is under the jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan.

De Lima added that she will withhold further comment until the SC releases its ruling. “I would...be very interested to see why the SC denied it.”

READ: De Lima vows to continue fight amid reports SC has dismissed her appeal