Photo credit: IDefend

Former Senator Leila de Lima has been acquitted of her last drug-related charge by the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court after her demurrer to evidence was granted. This decision marks the conclusion of a series of legal battles faced by De Lima over allegations of drug trafficking during her tenure as Justice Secretary.

In a ruling issued this Monday, the Muntinlupa RTC found the evidence presented by the prosecution insufficient to sustain the charges against De Lima and her co-accused. The court’s decision effectively clears her of all drug-related allegations.

In a parallel development, the Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court has dismissed the disobedience case against De Lima. The dispositive order reversed previous resolutions that denied her motions to dismiss.

The Resolution dated March 14, 2022, had initially denied De Lima's motion to dismiss her disobedience case on the grounds of alleged violations of her right to a speedy trial. A subsequent motion for reconsideration, also denied in April 2023, was overturned, leading to the case's dismissal.

The court acknowledged that procedural delays, largely due to prosecution absences and requests for resetting, contributed to a violation of De Lima's constitutional right to a speedy trial. The dismissal of this disobedience case further alleviates the legal pressures on the former senator.

De Lima, a staunch critic of the Duterte administration, has consistently maintained her innocence, attributing the charges to political persecution. Her acquittal and the dismissal of the disobedience case mark a significant turn in her long legal ordeal.