Leila’s arraignment reset anew

MANILA, Philippines — The arraignment of Sen. Leila de Lima on drug charges filed against her before the Muntinlupa regional trial court (RTC) was reset anew yesterday.

De Lima’s lawyer, Boni Tacardon, said the arraignment was rescheduled to May 18 pending the resolution of a motion they filed before RTC Branch 205 questioning the approval of the amended charges against her.

In December 2017, the prosecution filed a motion before Judge Patricia de Leon of RTC Branch 206 seeking to amend the charge from her illegal drug trading to conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading when she was still justice secretary, Tacardon said.

De Leon went into early retirement and the motion was approved by Judge Juanita Guerrero of RTC Branch 204 on Feb. 21, before she inhibited from hearing the senator’s case.

De Lima was supposed to be arraigned in June 2017 but it was moved to Sept. 25, Oct. 13, Nov. 24 and yesterday.

Following De Leon’s retirement and Guerrero’s inhibition from hearing De Lima’s case, all of the charges filed against her are being heard by Judge Amelia Corpuz of Branch 205.  

Tacardon said the prosecution’s move only showed that the government has a very weak case against De Lima and could not find any evidence that will support their claim on the senator’s alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.