Former Senator and now Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Partylist Representative-elect Leila de Lima has been fully acquitted by the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 204, along with her former aide Ronie Dayan, in the final drug-related case filed against them.
Judge Abraham Alcantara upheld his initial decision to acquit both de Lima and Dayan, citing the retraction of former Bureau of Corrections officer-in-charge Rafael Ragos as a pivotal factor.
Ragos previously testified that he delivered money to de Lima allegedly intended for her campaign, but later recanted and claimed he was coerced.
“To reiterate and emphasize, the testimony of witness Ragos is necessary to sustain any possible conviction. Without his testimony, the crucial link to establish conspiracy is shrouded with reasonable doubt,” the revised court decision stated.
This comes after the Court of Appeals’ 8th Division nullified the RTC’s 2023 acquittal decision, ordering a revised and more detailed ruling, which was handed down this week.
De Lima expressed gratitude to the court and Judge Alcantara for the ruling, calling it a confirmation of truth.
“Vindicated numerous times, and yet they are relentless in trying to silence me,” de Lima said.
“But no matter how hard they try, they cannot erase the truth, nor undo what has already been revealed in the light of justice.”
“Ito lang yata ang kaso sa Pilipinas na kailangan ulitin ng huwes ang pag render o promulgate ng judgment of acquittal. I hope and pray that this is the last nail in the coffin of this most expensive frame-up in Philippine history,” she added.
Following this final acquittal, de Lima is now free to assume office as ML Partylist Representative on June 30.
De Lima had been detained for nearly seven years on drug charges filed during the Duterte administration, widely criticized as politically motivated due to her vocal opposition to the former president.