DOJ: Let court decide on De Lima’s request

MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said yesterday it is up to the court to decide on the request of detained Sen. Leila de Lima to record campaign materials from her detention cell at the Philippine National Custodial Center at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

De Lima is seeking reelection in 2022.

Guevarra said Department of Justice prosecutors were merely performing their duty when they opposed De Lima’s request.

“The prosecutors discharged their duty professionally and without regard to the status of the accused,” he said. “Let’s leave it to the court to rule on the issue. We trust that the court will apply existing rules concerning persons under detention fairly and uniformly.”

De Lima is facing criminal charges before the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court over her alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade at the New Bilibid Prison.

She had asked the court to allow her campaign team to take her photos and video inside her detention cell from Dec. 27 to 30.