A Muntinlupa City court on Friday stood by its decision to acquit Mamamayang Liberal Representative-elect Leila de Lima and her former driver Ronnie Dayan of conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading charges.
The RTC’s action came after the Court of Appeals Eighth Division in April voided the May 12, 2023 decision of the RTC and remanded the case for failure “to discuss the specific proven facts as well as the laws upon which [the judge’s] pronouncement of acquittal was based.”
In response to the appellate court’s order, Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 204 Judge Abraham Joseph Alcantara insisted that the recantation of former Bureau of Corrections officer-in-charge Rafael Ragos’ testimony was ‘‘sufficient basis for the RTC to uphold the constitutionally guaranteed presumption of innocence.’’
Ragos had claimed that he and aide Jovencio Ablen Jr. delivered P10 million in proceeds from the illegal drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison to then-justice secretary De Lima’s house in Parañaque City in November and December 2012.
In 2022, Ragos retracted his testimony against De Lima.
‘‘To reiterate and emphasize, the testimony of witness Ragos is necessary to sustain any possible conviction. Without his testimony, the crucial link to establish conspiracy is shrouded with reasonable doubt,’’ the revised decision stated.
It said the prosecution had also ‘‘expressly admitted the damaging effect of Ragos’ extrajudicial and judicial recantations.’’
‘‘Thus, the undersigned presiding judge submits that the original decision already clearly and distinctly stated the facts and law upon which it was based.’’
In a statement, De Lima thanked Alcantara ‘‘for his steadfast adherence to justice.’’
‘‘Vindicated numerous times, and yet they are relentless in trying to silence me. But no matter how hard they try, they cannot erase the truth, nor undo what has already been revealed in the light of justice,’’ she said.
‘‘I hope and pray that this is the last nail in the coffin of this most expensive frame-up in Philippine history.’’
De Lima spent nearly seven years in detention before she was released on bail in November 2023. The last of her three drug-related cases was dismissed in June 2024
By GMA Integrated News
Published June 27, 2025 11:52pm / Updated June 28, 2025 7:20am
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Itong last screenshot, sabi nung isa “wait and see” daw kung ano ang magiging new decision ni Alcantara. Ngayong final na ang desisyon, bakit kaya wala silang imik? Uy… mag-sorry naman kayo, or at least admit na sa dinami-rami ng kuda ninyo noon ay maling-mali kayo. Puro kasi kayo allegations/assumptions eh. Assume pa more! Hahahahahahaha
Buti pa si Delima, she faced her case head on. She showed her bravery despite being ridiculed by Dugong and his cult. Yung iba diyan, ang sabi hanap raw nya ang “bloodbath” at gusto nya ng trial kaso biglang nagsabi na “dapat i-dismiss yang case na yan”. Bakit kamo? Si Delima, alam nyang wala syang kasalanan kaya hinarap nya ang isinampang kaso sa kanya; si Lustay, ayaw nya talagang matuloy ang impeachment case kasi… Kayo na lang ang magtuloy. Hahahahahahahaha