Rodriguez pushes De Lima’s release

MANILA, Philippines — An ally of President Marcos in the House of Representatives has joined lawmakers in calling for the immediate release of former senator Leila de Lima from detention.

“The prosecution has failed to support with enough evidence the drug charges filed against her. It’s time for state prosecutors to withdraw the complaint so that she can be freed immediately,” Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said.

Among the lawmakers who have called for De Lima’s release are Rodriguez as well as Representatives Edcel Lagman of Albay, Mujiv Hataman of Basilan, Gabriel Bordado Jr. of Camarines Sur, Lorenz Defensor of Iloilo, Jonathan Keith Flores of Bukidnon, Sergio Dagooc of the APEC party-list and Bienvenido Abante of Manila.

Rodriguez noted that the Muntinlupa City regional trial court had allowed the testimony of witnesses who recanted their allegations that De Lima received illegal drug payola when she was justice secretary.

Lagman, who sits as president of the opposition Liberal Party, earlier called on Marcos to order government prosecutors to drop the drug charges filed against De Lima.

“Since the President ultimately controls the prosecution of criminal cases, the public prosecutors must be directed to desist from further prosecuting De Lima for want of competent and credible evidence,” he proposed.

The release of De Lima, who was a staunch critic of former president Rodrigo Duterte, has been sought by the US, as expressed by President Joe Biden when he met with Marcos on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City last month.

The alleged human rights violations against De Lima has repeatedly been raised by Washington officials to the Philippine government.

Press Secretary Cheloy Garafil has said Marcos is leaving De Lima’s fate to the judiciary, adding that the President would not interfere in the affairs of a separate branch of government.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has issued similar statements, but he assured the defense panel of fairness.