FILE PHOTO: Senator Leila de Lima
MANILA, Philippines – It’s final! The Supreme Court (SC) affirmed its previous decision on the constitutionality of Senator Leila De Lima’s arrest over the drug charges filed against her by the Department of Justice (DOJ.)
In its notice dated April 17 but released to media on Wednesday, June 6, the SC En Banc ruled to “deny with finality” De Lima’s motion for reconsideration.
Based on the court resolution signed April 17, the High Court argued that the “basic issues raised” in De Lima’s motion “have been passed upon by this Court and no substantial arguments were presented to warrant the reversal of the questioned Decision.”
It can be noted that in October 2017, the High Court voted 9-6 to junk Senator De Lima’s petition questioning the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court’s jurisdiction in issuing a warrant of arrest against her. In her petition, she argued that it is the Sandiganbayan who has jurisdiction over her considering her position as Senator.
The SC ruling was reaffirmed in April when the magistrates, voted 9-5 with exception of then Chief Justice on leave Maria Lourdes Sereno, denied for the second time the Senator’s appeal.
In his dissenting opinion, meanwhile, SC Justice Benjamin Caguioa again insisted that the Senator’s constitutional right “continues to be violated.”
Senator De Lima is facing drug charges over her alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison when she was still the Justice secretary.
In its notice, the SC added that “no further pleadings will be entertained” and “let entry of judgment be made immediately.” – UNTV News & Rescue
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