De Lima finally arraigned before Muntinlupa court

One year and five months into her detention, Senator Leila de Lima has finally been arraigned before a Muntinlupa court over drug-related charges.

De Lima refused to enter a plea before the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court's Branch 206 at a hearing on Friday, her lawyer, Boni Tacardon, confirmed to GMA News Online.

It was the judge, Lorna Navarro-Domingo, who entered a "not guilty" plea for the senator, in accordance with court rules.

"I do not recognize the legitimacy and the validity of the charges against me," De Lima was quoted by her staff as saying in a message to reporters.

"Now, there are two other cases pending before the other Court, this case is completely fabricated and bogus from orchestrated lies. I refuse to enter a plea. I do not recognize these charges," she said.

The Department of Justice pressed charges against De Lima, its former chief, before the Muntinlupa RTC on Feb. 17, 2017. She was served an arrest warrant and turned herself in to authorities exactly a week later.

De Lima, a vocal Duterte critic, is accused of involvement in the proliferation of the illegal drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison in exchange for campaign funds in the 2016 polls.

She has repeatedly insisted on her innocence and calls her ordeal a case of political persecution.

She is currently detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center. The Supreme Court has denied her appeals against her arrest. — RSJ, GMA News