RTC closes De Lima drug case – BusinessWorld Online
THE Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 204 has officially closed the criminal case against Party-list Rep. Leila M. de Lima and her co-accused Ronnie Palisoc Dayan after the prosecution withdrew its motion for reconsideration.
In an order dated Sept. 30, the regional court granted the panel of public prosecutors’ request to withdraw the motion, which had been filed on July 14, following instructions from the Office of the Prosecutor General.
The motion sought to revisit Ms. De Lima’s acquittal in a criminal case filed under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 (Republic Act No. 9165).
The order stressed that “every acquittal becomes final immediately upon promulgation and cannot be recalled for correction or amendment.”
It added that granting the motion for reconsideration would violate the constitutional protection against double jeopardy, effectively reopening prosecution despite an acquittal.
“With the withdrawal of the motion for reconsideration, this case is hereby deemed closed and terminated,” the order read.
Ms. De Lima, a former senator and long-time critic of the Duterte administration, was charged with illegal drug trading in connection with alleged drug activities inside the New Bilibid Prison during her tenure as Justice secretary. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking
