A Court of Appeals division reverses a trial court ruling that junked one drug case against former senator Leila de Lima.
Full story: https://www.rappler.com/philippines/court-appeals-ruling-reverses-leila-de-lima-acquittal-drug-case-may-2025/
Full story: https://www.rappler.com/philippines/court-appeals-ruling-reverses-leila-de-lima-acquittal-drug-case-may-2025/
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00:00A Court of Appeals division reverses a trial court ruling that junked one drug case against former Senator Laila de Lima.
00:08The Court of Appeals 8th Division grants the Office of the Solicitor General's petition for certiorari,
00:13assailing de Lima's acquittal in the drug case linked to former Bureau of Corrections Chief Rafael Ragoz.
00:19In his decision, the CA notes that Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court presiding Judge Abraham Joseph Alcantara
00:25acquitted de Lima, quote, on the sole basis of Ragoz's recantation.
00:30Ragoz was the witness in the case.
00:32In 2023, Alcantara acquitted de Lima, saying Ragoz's testimony was necessary to sustain any conviction.
00:39Without it, quote, the crucial link to establish conspiracy is shrouded with reasonable doubt.
00:44The division says Alcantara failed to identify the statements retracted by Ragoz
00:48and did not clearly explain which element of the crime the prosecution failed to establish against de Lima.
00:54The CA division also remanded the case back to the lower court level.
00:58The Lima's legal defense team says her acquittal in the reverse case remains enforceable,
01:04which means she won't be detained for now.