MANILA, Philippines — Former senator Leila De Lima was cleared of all the drug charges filed against her by the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
On Monday, June 24, the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 206 in Muntinlupa City acquitted De Lima of the final charge related to conspiracy to commit drug trading.
Judge Gener Gito of Branch 206 granted De Lima’s demurrer to evidence, which is a defense filing asserting that the prosecution’s evidence is insufficient.
Granting of a demurrer to evidence results in the acquittal of the accused.
The Muntinlupa Court is also the same court that granted De Lima’s bail last November 2023 and released her after nearly seven years in detention.
Prior to this acquittal, the Regional Trial Court Branch. 76 in Quezon City likewise cleared De Lima of two disobedience cases filed against her by former Oriental Mindoro 2nd District representative Reynaldo Umali for allegedly ignoring summons.
These acquittals mark complete vindication for De Lima, as she has been cleared of all charges.
The disobedience cases originated from the claim that De Lima had allegedly influenced Ronnie Dayan, her former bodyguard-driver and co-accused, to disregard a subpoena issued by the House of Representatives during its 2016 inquiry into drug allegations.
Free at last, what now?
Months following her complete independence, De Lima remains haunted by her remaining cases.
With the dismissal of all her cases, De Lima thanked her supporters for believing in her innocence.
“Thank you to everyone who believed in my innocence and that one day I will be finally vindicated,” De Lima said in an X post.
“Today is that day of sweet and just freedom. Dios mabalos,” she added
