The hearing for the trumped-up drug charge against Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima before the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court (RTC), Branch 256 was cut short because the government prosecution failed to present an important document last Feb. 16.
De Lima’s legal counsel, Atty. Rolly Peoro said the Prosecution presented convicted murderer Joel Capones as its witness but was not able to proceed with his testimony.
“Naputol yung kanyang presentation dahil mayroong hindi nadalang dokumento ang Prosecution. Ipagpapatuloy na lang next Tuesday (Feb. 23),” Peoro said.
“Basically, yung testimony ni Capones, nagsasabi siya ng participation niya in illegal drug trading, so itutuloy yung kwento niya next Tuesday, tapos doon pa lang tayo magcro-cross examine,” he added.
De Lima, who will mark her fourth year of unjust detention on Feb. 24, personally attended the said trial in full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Considering that Capones confessed that he has involvement in the illegal drug trading inside the New Bilibid Prison, the De Lima camp hopes that the Prosecution will focus on making him accountable for his crime.
“As of now, ang lumalabas na malinaw, mayroon siyang confession na siya ay involved sa illegal drug trading and we are wondering, we are hoping that the DOJ will focus on this case – self-confessed drug trader na magkaroon ng kaso. The admission was in 2016, pero hanggang ngayon ay wala pa ring kaso si Joel Capones,” he said.
“Kung totoo yung administration sa kanilang advocacy na drugs, na i-eliminate ang drugs, isang example ito na dapat nilang panagutin, he added.
As to the two other trumped-up drug cases before another court, Muntinlupa RTC, Branch 205, the ruling on De Lima’s separate Motions for Bail and Demurrers to Evidence filed therein are expected to be released today, February 17. (30)