Former Senator Leila De Lima described her feeling as “very liberating” after the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court granted her demurrer to evidence, effectively dismissing the last drug case filed against her during the Duterte administration.
“With the grant of our demurrer to evidence, which is tantamount to acquittal, that means I am now completely free and vindicated. It’s very liberating,” De Lima stated. “I respected the rule of law despite the pain and the injustice of it all. I confronted the charges head on and I went through and endured the whole process.”
De Lima, a vocal critic of former President Rodrigo Duterte, called on Duterte to face accountability for his actions during his “bloody and fake war on drugs.” In an interview, she said, “This is my message to the former president, Mr. Duterte. It is now your turn to face your wrongdoings to the people. I am only one victim. Thousands of Filipinos were killed during the bloody and fake war on drugs.”
De Lima expressed her willingness to assist the International Criminal Court (ICC) in its investigation into drug war killings, which resulted in around 6,200 deaths according to government records.
The court’s decision to grant her demurrer to evidence effectively cleared De Lima of all drug charges, as the prosecution failed to prove her guilt beyond reasonable doubt. These drug cases were filed in 2017 under the Duterte administration.
De Lima’s legal team is considering filing counter-cases against Duterte. “It is being talked about, it is being looked into, and when we are ready, we will announce it,” she said.
De Lima also asked her supporters to continue backing her, emphasizing that her fight against injustices and oppression will persist. “To those who support me, don’t disappear. Because after seven years, I am more ready to continue the fight.”
When asked about a possible Senate run, De Lima clarified that she has not yet decided. “What I meant by that is that the fight will continue against injustices and oppression.”
She thanked her family, the judge, her legal team, supporters, and God for their support throughout her ordeal.
De Lima’s first acquittal occurred in February 2021 when the Muntinlupa City RTC-Branch 205 dismissed one of her three cases. In May 2023, Muntinlupa RTC Branch 204 acquitted De Lima and her former bodyguard Ronnie Dayan of an illegal drug trading charge due to reasonable doubt. A Quezon City court also dismissed two disobedience cases against her.