Justice for De Lima delayed but resounding, allies say

The allies of former senator Leila de Lima said Monday that while the court order granting her petition for bail came late, it serves justice just the same.

“Although justice delayed is justice denied, justice finally secured is still justice redeemed. This is the essence of Senator Leila de Lima’s belated grant of bail which is a prelude to her exoneration in all of the three feigned drug charges against her,” Albay lawmaker and de Lima’s party-mate, Liberal Party (LP) President Edcel Lagman, said in a statement.

Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 206 on Monday granted de Lima’s motion for reconsideration on her bail petition in the last of the three cases against her. She has been detained in Camp Crame since February 2017 over drug allegations, which she has repeatedly denied. 

Her first acquittal came in February 2021; her second in May this year.

“The decision to grant bail by Judge Gener Gito of the Muntinlupa RTC (Regional Trial Court) Branch 206 is a step toward justice and freedom for Leila and a harsh indictment of those who falsely accused her of wrongdoing and caused her years of unimaginable suffering in solitary confinement and the indescribable anguish of the malevolently accused,” Lagman added.

Former vice president Leni Robredo, a party mate of de Lima in LP, said the court’s decision is proof that the truth will eventually come out and that de Lima was politically persecuted to begin with.

“Matagal nating hinintay ang araw na ito, sa pananalig na ang tama at totoo ang laging mananaig. Pinatutunayang muli ngayon na walang basehan ang mga paratang laban kay Senator Leila,”  Robredo said.

(We have long waited for his day, with the faith that what is just and the truth will prevail. Today’s verdict proved that all the allegations against her are baseless.)

“Ang lahat ng mga paninira at panggigipit na naranasan niya sa loob ng halos pitong taon ay bunga ng kaniyang pangangahas na tumindig para sa tama—para sa ating mga kababayan. Masaya ako na sa wakas ay namayani ang hustisya at makakapiling na natin nang malaya si Senator Leila,” she added.

(All the malicious attacks and persecution that she endured for seven years are rooted in her courage to speak for what is just. I am happy that justice prevailed and we get to be with her again.)

In addition, Lagman and Robredo lauded de Lima's fortitude in weathering a seven-year incarceration, which even included an Abu Sayyaf inmate briefly taking her hostage.

“I laud Senator de Lima for her fortitude and indomitable spirit for fighting for her liberty without accepting the authority’s condescending offer of hospital or house arrest,” Lagman said.

“Moreover, I also salute her supreme sacrifice and steadfast advocacy for all the victims of injustice and oppression, and also for Filipinos whose freedoms are trampled on by the brokers of power,” he added.

Robredo, for her part, said de Lima’s courage and her faith lent so many Filipinos the resolve to continue fighting the good fight, to speak truth to power, and to keep believing that the Filipino people deserve so much more.

“Tagumpay ito hindi lang para sa kanya, kundi para sa ating bayan,” she added.

(This is a victory not just for her, but for the nation.)

Human rights lawyer Chel Diokno called the decision a "huge victory for justice."

"I salute you and admire your courage and fortitude, Sen. Leila de Lima. Despite almost seven years of incarceration, you stood by your principles and never wavered in your fight for justice.

"Umaasa akong ganap na mapapatunayang wala kayong sala, at pananagutin ang mga nasa likod ng inyong persecution. Nagpapasalamat din tayo sa mga abogado ni Atty. De Lima na walang pagod at buong tapang na nagtanggol sa kanyang karapatan," he said in a post on X.

(I am hoping that you will be fully acquitted, and those behind your persecution made to answer for it. We also thank her lawyers, who tirelessly and courageously worked to protect her rights.)

European Union Ambassador to the Philippines Luc Véron, who has called for de Lima’s freedom before, also expressed hopes that today’s court verdict will ultimately clear de Lima of the drug raps.

“Very pleased by the news of former Senator de Lima’s release [on bail]. [This is] a significant step for rule of law in the Philippines; a positive turn in the pursuit of justice,” Véron said.

“I hope that resolution of the remaining charges will be accelerated,” the envoy added.

But for House Deputy Minority leader and ACT Teachers party-list lawmaker France Castro, today's court decision should also begin the process of exacting accountability on de Lima’s accusers.

“The granting of bail to former Senator Leila de Lima was long overdue but a welcome news nonetheless. Her long detention was an injustice and we hope that those behind her unjust incarceration would be the ones who would be jailed in the near future," Castro added in a separate statement. — BM, GMA Integrated News