YESTERDAY’S SCHEDULED arraignment of detained Senator Leila M. De Lima, who is facing illegal drug trading charges, was moved to Sept. 15 following a request from government prosecutors.

De Lima
Senator Leila M. De Lima, a top critic of President Rodrigo R. Duterte, holds back tears during a press conference in the Senate in Manila on February 23, 2017, as she awaits the warrant of arrest to be served. — AFP

“[T]he Motion to Reset is Granted, and the arraignment of the accused on Aug. 18, 2017 is hereby cancelled and reset to Sept. 15, 2017,” reads the one-page order of Judge Amelia Fabros-Corpuz of the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 205.

The prosecutors also asked for more time to submit a rejoinder and present evidence, which was granted by the Court.

“The Prosecution is given a final fifteen (15) days, or until Aug. 25, 2017 to file its rejoindor, as prayed for,” Ms. Fabros-Corpuz said in the court order.

Ms. De Lima, currently jailed at a detention center within the police headquarters in Quezon City, was present in yesterday’s hearing with her counsel, former senator Rene A. V. Saguisag.

The senator’s camp asked to withdraw their Motion to Quash filed earlier, which sought to dismiss the information or charge sheet filed by the Department of Justice (DoJ) indicting her on violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Mr. Saguisag said they will instead file another motion, which will include statements by President Rodrigo R. Duterte and his Cabinet members that already identified Ms. De Lima as guilty.

“No way she could get a fair trial kung hindi titigilan ng kakadaldal nitong napaka makwentong Pangulo natin, (No way she could get a fair trial if our blabbermouth President won’t stop talking),” Mr. Saguisag said.

The case lodged before the Muntinlupa RTC includes Ms. De Lima’s alleged nephew, Jose Adrian Dera, as her co-accused.

Ms. De Lima is facing two other drug-related cases filed before the Muntinlupa RTC Branch 204 and 206.

The cases emanated from the complaints filed by the National Bureau Investigation (NBI), Volunteers against Crime and Corruption (VACC), two former NBI directors, and inmate Jaybee Niño Sebastian.

Ms. De Lima is accused of violation of Section 5, in relation to Section 3 (jj), Section 26 (b) and Section 28, of Republic Act No. 9165 or the “Sale, trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution and transportation of Dangerous Drugs and/or controlled precursors and essential chemicals.” – Kristine Joy V. Patag

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