Supreme Court allows media coverage of De Lima trial

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) has allowed media coverage of the trial of detained Sen. Leila de Lima on drug charges before the Muntinlupa City regional trial court (RTC).

In session yesterday, justices led by acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio granted the request of online media outfit Rappler to allow media coverage of the hearings of Muntinlupa RTC Branch 206.

The High Court approved the recommendation of Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez and ordered the Muntinlupa court to allow reporters in the courtrooms during hearings.

Specifically, the SC authorized the clerk of court of the RTC “to select, for each hearing of the drug cases against Sen. De Lima, two to four media institutions to access the courtroom, which may be limited to one reporter from each of such chosen media institutions.”

The trial court would be tasked to pick one representative each from television, radio, print and online media “and give all media institutions that have requested for access into the courtroom a chance to attend the said hearings sequentially.”

The Court also included the two media organizations covering the judiciary – Justice and Court Reporters Association and Justice Reporters Organization – in the accreditation process for reporters who will cover the trial.

But just like in any other trial, the SC stressed that no recording devices would be allowed inside the courtroom during the hearings and reporters would only be allowed to jot down notes.

The High Court received the request after Muntinlupa RTC Branch 206 Judge Lorna Navarro Domingo prohibited the media from covering the hearings.

When asked by the SC to explain, Domingo cited the limited space in the courtroom and fairness to all media outfits that cover the proceedings.

The senator is facing charges of conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading before the Muntinlupa RTC Branches 206 and 205. She is also on trial for disobedience to summons before the Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 34.

De Lima has filed a motion asking Domingo to inhibit herself from the trial over her “manifest bias, partiality and acts of prejudgment.”