Muntinlupa RTC orders de Lima arrest

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By Prince Golez, Manila Reporter
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Friday, February 24, 2017
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Sen. Leila de Lima (center) welcomes supporters in the Senate on Feb. 14, as they lauded the lady senator’s efforts to criticize the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte and co
ndemn the government move to arrest her on allegedly trumped-up illegal drugs charges. PRIB
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MANILA – The Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 204 issued on Thursday a warrant of arrest against Sen. Leila de Lima, who was accused of involvement in the illegal drug trade.

The same warrant has also been issued to former Bureau of Corrections chief Rafael Ragos and de Lima’s former driver and bodyguard Ronnie Palasoc Dayan.

“After a careful evaluation of the herein information and all the evidence presented during the preliminary investigation conducted in sufficient probable cause for the issuance of Warrants of Arrest against all the accused Leila de Lima, Rafael Marcos Z. Ragos, and Ronnie Palisoc Dayan,” the Order signed by Judge Juanita Guerrero stated.

The Department of Justice last week filed three criminal complaints against de Lima for violation of sections 5 and 22 of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Acts pertaining to the sale, administration, dispensation, distribution and transportation of dangerous drugs.

These cases stemmed from the complaints filed by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption, former NBI deputy directors Reynaldo Esmeralda and Ruel Lasala, and Bilibid inmate Jaybee Sebastian.

De Lima’s lawyer Atty. Alex Padilla said their camp did not expect the issuance of arrest warrant this week.

Malinaw na may motion to quash, sana binasa muna. Nakakatawa na nakakalungkot,” Padilla said referring to the motions to quash the cases before Branch 206 of the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court over lack of jurisdiction.

Ferdie Maglalang, media relations officer of de Lima, said they received information that Judge Guerrero just came back from Macau.

“The judge has issued order pero kararating niya lang kahapon… Is that ‘after careful evaluation’?” Maglalang furthered.

Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said that Senate work will continue amid de Lima’s arrest.

“Senate rules anticipate situations like these,” Pimentel said, also asking law enforcers to coordinate with Senate security to respect the former Justice secretary.

The arrest warrant against de Lima only proves that “justice is working in our beloved nation,” said House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.

Meanwhile, Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo said the law of karma is starting to catch up with the senator.

“The issuance of a warrant for (her arrest) means the issuing court finds probable cause that she may have probably committed the crime charged,” Panelo said.

De Lima, he said, should welcome this development so she can “refute any and all allegations and/or evidence to be presented by the prosecution against her.”

Duterte’s lawyer, however, maintained that she should be presumed innocent until proven guilty.

At a news conference on Thursday, a teary-eyed De Lima said she would spend night at home with her family and prepare the things that she would bring with her to her detention.

Wala po akong balak magtago dahil haharapin ko ang mga kaso na ‘yan… Ninanais ko muna po na umuwi muna para makapiling ko muna po… ang aking pamilya at para kunin ko na po ang mga dadalhin kong gamit sa kulungan,” De Lima said.

Bukas po, dito sa aking opisina ko hihintayin ang arresting team. Hihintayin ko po sila,” she added.

Liberal Party senators, including Senate president pro tempore Franklin Drilon and Sen. Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, were with de Lima when she delivered her statement.

De Lima did not entertain questions afterwards.

Last week, de Lima said she was already prepared to get arrested. She said she has already packed a bag of “comfortable clothes” in case a warrant of arrest against her would be served./PN

 

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