MANILA, Philippines – Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 256 has yet to issue its resolution on former senator Leila de Lima’s petition for bail – one of the key factors in the former lawmaker’s bid for temporary freedom.

The Muntinlupa court was expected to release its resolution on Monday, May 8, on the petition for bail filed by the former lawmaker’s camp. However, the court opted to conduct a hearing after the prosecution filed a formal offer of evidence on April 11.

In an order dated May 5, Muntinlupa City RTC Branch 256 Presiding Judge Romeo Buenaventura said there was a need to “appropriately rule on the offer of evidence,” noting “inconsistencies” in the marking of the offered evidence.

The court did not release its resolution for bail on Monday.

Even if the other Muntinlupa City RTC Branch 204 acquits De Lima on one of the remaining charges on Friday, May 12, the former lawmaker will still have to wait for resolution of her pending bail petition. She has been in detention for six years.

Confirmation

Lawyer Boni Tacardon, one of De Lima’s legal counsels, confirmed to reporters in an ambush interview that the court has yet to issue its resolution on the bail petition. Tacardon also confirmed that the Muntinlupa court had to set a hearing to address the discrepancies in the prosecution’s formal offer of evidence. 

De Lima’s lawyer said they agreed to address the concern, particularly the need to fix the markings in the submitted documents. In the formal offer of evidence, a party submits documentary evidence and explains why the court should accept the evidence. 

Tacardon also told reporters that the court will first resolve the formal offer of evidence before it issues a resolution for De Lima’s bail. 

The former senator filed a supplemental omnibus motion last February to ask the court to drop the drug-related charge against her or grant her bail. The former lawmaker has been detained due to allegations that she allegedly accepted money from the illegal drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison to fund her 2016 senatorial run. 

Under the current administration, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla said they would not oppose De Lima’s bid for temporary freedom if she uses as basis the writ of habeas corpus. 

The Supreme Court’s ruling on Gigi Reyes, Juan Ponce Enrile’s ex-aide tagged in the pork barrel scam, allowed the use of the extraordinary writ to seek temporary release, citing her right to a speedy trial. (READ: How the SC ruling on Gigi Reyes’ release changes the game on habeas corpus) 

But recently, Remulla said he would oppose De Lima’s bail if she insists on basing it on the merits of the case. – Rappler.com