The dismissal of the final drug case against former Senator Leila de Lima has long been anticipated, according to former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II.
"That has been expected for a long time. As I said before, I am happy for this development as she had suffered enough already," Aguirre told GMA News Online in response to the court's recent decision in De Lima's favor.
The three drug cases against De Lima, which she has consistently labeled as trumped-up charges, were initiated during Aguirre's tenure at the Department of Justice under the administration of Rodrigo Duterte.
Earlier on Monday, a Muntinlupa court granted De Lima's demurrer to evidence, leading to the dismissal of the third and final drug case against her. De Lima filed her demurrer in March, arguing that the prosecution had failed to prove her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
De Lima, who was released on bail in November 2023 after being detained in Camp Crame since February 2017, has experienced a series of legal victories. Her first acquittal occurred in February 2021 at the Muntinlupa City RTC Branch 205. In May 2023, Muntinlupa RTC Branch 204 also acquitted De Lima and her former bodyguard Ronnie Dayan of an illegal drug trading charge due to reasonable doubt. Additionally, a Quezon City court dismissed two disobedience cases against her.
After nearly seven years in prison, De Lima has indicated she might file charges against Duterte and Aguirre over her prolonged detention.
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