Leila de Lima refuses to enter plea in drug case

MANILA, Philippines — Detained Sen. Leila de Lima refused anew yesterday to enter a plea in one of the three drug cases filed against her before a Muntinlupa City court.

“How can I plead to something that is bogus, fabricated, trumped-up? I’m not recognizing the validity of this trial. I cannot, your honor,” she told the court.

De Lima was arraigned on charges of illegal drug trading at the New Bilibid Prison when she was justice secretary.

The Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 205 enterted a not guilty plea for her.

De Lima’s lawyer Boni Tacardon also questioned the jurisdiction of the court after it denied the omnibus motion to quash information that they filed. 

Tacardon said they intend to present former president Benigno Aquino Jr. as one of their witnesses. 

The lawyer said Aquino could provide information on whether there was indeed illegal drug activities at the national penitentiary when De Lima was justice secretary. 

 “Kung mayroon talagang ganiyan, he would have taken action against her at the time. We intend to present him as a character witness,” Tacardon said. 

The court set De Lima’s pre-trial on Feb. 8.