De Lima’s cases raffled off to 3 Muntinlupa courts
The three drug cases filed against Senator Leila de Lima have been raffled off to three regional trial courts (RTC) in Muntinlupa.
Judge Juanita Guerrero of Branch 204, Judge Amelia Fabros-Corpuz of RTC Branch 205, and Judge Patricia Manalastas-De Leon of RTC Branch 206 will handle the cases.
The Department of Jus-
tice (DOJ) filed the charges against De Lima for violation of Section 5 in relation to Sections 3, 26, and 28 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 or Republic Act 9165, regarding accusations that she was involved in illegal drug trade at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa.
Section 5 pertains to the “Sale, Trading, Administration, Dispensation, Delivery, Distribution and Transportation of Dangerous Drugs and/or Controlled Precursors and Essential Chemicals.”
Under Section 26, any attempt or conspiracy to commit the sale, trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution and transportation of any dangerous drug and/or controlled precursor and essential chemical will be penalized.
Section 28 states that maximum penalties and absolute perpetual disqualification from public office shall be imposed on government officials and employees found guilty of violating the law.
Also facing charges are former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) director Franklin Jesus Bucayu, former National Bureau of Investigation director Rafael Ragos, Jose Adrian Dera, Wilfredo Elli, Joenel Sanchez, and prisoner Jaybee Sebastian.
De Lima said that should she be arrested, she is not going to ask for a special treatment.
“I’m not asking for a special or VIP treatment. All I’m asking for is they ensure my security and my safety...,” De Lima said.
Meanwhile, the government is unlikely to withdraw the drug charges against De Lima, Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said as he reminded the Human Rights Watch (HRW) that the prosecution of the lady senator is based on a criminal complaint, not political motivations .( With reports from Hannah L. Torregoza and Genalyn D. Kabiling)