Prosecutors bid to consolidate cases vs De Lima; security raised
Instead of being divided among three different judges, Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutors have sought to have the three drug charges against Senator Leila de Lima be handled under one Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court (RTC) branch.
Prosecutors have filed a motion before Muntinlupa City RTC Branch 204, asking that all three drug charges be consolidated and that it should be the one to handle it.
In their motion, prosecutors pointed out that “justice and expediency demand that it is more practical and will serve the ends of justice to consolidate all three cases in the said branch to avoid unnecessary costs and to prevent the issuance of conflicting resolutions, orders and decisions.”
Executive Judge Juanita Guerrero of Muntinlupa City RTC Branch 204 is the only magistrate so far who issued arrest warrants against de Lima and her co-accused.
Apart from the 204, the two other drug charges against have been raffled off to Muntinlupa City RTC Branches 205 and 206.
“Record shows that the cases arose from similar sets of facts; there are common parties and issues, and interrelated evidence will be presented in Court, as the cases are found on the same facts and/or forming part of a eries of offenses similar in character,” read the motion signed by Senior Assistant State Prosecutors Peter Ong; Senior Assistant City Prosecutors Alexander Ramos, Leilia Llanes and Evangeline Viudez-Canobas; and Assistant State Prosecutor Editha Fernandez.
Security for Leila
Meanwhile, Liberal Party LP President and Senator Francis Pangilinan rged Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III to return the Senate security of detained Senator Leila de Lima citing concerns for her safety.
Pangilinan made the appeal days after personnel from the Office of the Senate Seageant-at-Arms (OSAA) tasked to provide security for De Lima were pulled out from her detention facility at the Philippine National Police (PNP) custodial center.
“There should have been negotiations for the Office of the Senate Sergeant-At-Arms (OSAA) to come closer, and not be 50 meters away,” Pangilinan said.
The LP president reiterated their concern for the safety of De Lima while under detention at a government facility. (With a report from Elena L. Aben)