Philippine court voids acquittal of Duterte critic on drug case

MANILA - A Philippine court has nullified an earlier decision of a lower court to acquit former senator Leila de Lima – who has just won a seat in Congress – on a drug case, a fresh setback for the critic of former president Rodrigo Duterte.

The judge from a branch of the Muntinlupa regional tribunal in Manila “failed to discuss the specific proven facts as well as the laws upon which his pronouncement of acquittal was based”, the Court of Appeals said in a copy of its April 30 decision made available on May 15.

In May 2023, the regional trial court said there is reasonable doubt on de Lima’s alleged involvement in an illegal drug trade conspiracy at a national penitentiary, after a key witness recanted his testimony.

But the appeals court said the Muntinlupa court judge failed to state the specific statements that the witness had retracted, and which particular element of the crime charged had not been not proven. It has remanded the case back to the Muntinlupa tribunal.

De Lima’s lawyer Dino de Leon said they will file a motion for reconsideration with the appellate court.

“We believe that the Court of Appeals committed a reversible error in this particular instance and we will of course exercise remedies available to us,” he said in an interview with local television ABS-CBN News Channel, adding that the former senator was “disappointed” with the decision.

De Lima was cleared of her remaining drug case in June. She was released on bail in 2023, after more than six years in detention.

The decision comes as de Lima is set to return to Congress, being the first nominee to the House of Representatives of a winning party-list group at a May 12 midterm election. BLOOMBERG