MANILA – Detained senator Leila de Lima has moved for bail on another illegal drug trade charges against her claiming that prosecutors have failed to present strong evidence.
De Lima’s camp has asked the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 205 on Friday to rule that she is entitled to bail in Criminal Case No. 17-165, one of the three drug cases against her.
De Lima’s former aide Ronnie Dayan is her co-accused in this case for conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading. They are accused of receiving P10 million from the proceeds of the illegal drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison.
“Based on the evidence presented thus far, it is clear that even the claim of alleged deliveries of money to her house constituting her alleged share in illegal drugs is a pure concoction, as even the witness who allegedly made it denied any knowledge or involvement in the illegal drug trade,” the motion read.
“There is absolutely no credible and direct evidence that the instant case involves illegal drugs,” it added. “Even considering the allegation that P10 million was delivered to De Lima’s house, it does not constitute conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading.”
Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo Guevarra, meanwhile, said that filing a motion for bail is De Lima’s prerogative but he said that the detained senator’s cases are non-bailable.
“That’s her prerogative. But note that she is facing three drug-related cases, all of which are non-bailable,” Guevarra said in a statement./PN
