A Philippine court has acquitted former Senator Leila de Lima for one of her two remaining drug cases, a key win that puts former President Rodrigo Duterte’s staunch critic closer to ending her six-year detention.
A branch of the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court in the capital Manila ruled that De Lima’s alleged involvement in a conspiracy for illegal drug trade at a national penitentiary “was not established by positive and conclusive evidence.” The court also said there’s reasonable doubt on De Lima’s alleged participation in the drug trade after a key witness recanted his testimony.
“It’s a glorious day. This is the beginning of my vindication,” De Lima was heard shouting as she exited the court under heavy police guard, based on a video posted by ABS-CBN on Twitter.
Despite the acquittal, De Lima will remain detained as she’s facing another drug charge, for which she is seeking bail. The cases were filed during the presidency of Duterte, whose drug war was investigated by De Lima when she was human rights chief and lawmaker.
The court decision came after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said last week at a forum during his US visit that there were abuses that happened during Duterte’s drug war, which has killed thousands. Justice Secretary Jesus Remulla said De Lima’s acquittal shows that the nation’s courts are independent.
Marcos, who won the 2022 elections alongside Duterte’s daughter, said his government will focus on going after drug syndicates and rehabilitating victims. Duterte is being investigated by the International Criminal Court for his drug war, but Marcos recently said his government is cutting off contact with the tribunal.
De Lima’s acquittal was “long overdue,” Amnesty International’s interim Deputy Regional Director for Research Montse Ferrer said in a statement. “The authorities must not delay her release any longer,” the human-rights group’s official said.
--With assistance from Cecilia Yap.
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