Escudero congratulates 'fellow Bicolano' De Lima for legal victory

Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero on Tuesday congratulated former Senator Leila de Lima for hurdling the last and final drug case that was filed against her.

"I congratulate Former Senator De Lima not only for finally getting justice but for facing her accusers head-on and following and believing in the rule of law, however unfair it may have looked upon her at that time," Escudero said in a text message to reporters.

"As a fellow Bicolano, I am proud of her resilience and unwavering faith in God and in the truth," he added.

Last Monday, a Muntinlupa court granted De Lima's demurrer to evidence, which effectively dismissed the third and final drug case that was filed against her.

Meanwhile, Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, an ally of former President Rodrigo Duterte who consistently accused De Lima of involvement in the drug trade, said, "We have to respect the decision of the court."

After the latest decision on her last drug case, De Lima said she was now "completely free and vindicated."

"It's very liberating. I respected the rule of law despite the pain and the injustice of it all. I confronted the charges head on and I went through and endured the whole process," she added.

De Lima filed her demurrer in March, where she asked the court to acquit and declare her not guilty for failure of the prosecution to prove her guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

The former senator was freed on bail in November 2023 after being detained in Camp Crame since February 2017 over drug allegations.

Her first acquittal came in February 2021 when the Muntinlupa City RTC-Branch 205 junked one of her three cases.

In May 2023, the Muntinlupa RTC Branch 204 acquitted De Lima and Ronnie Dayan, her co-accused and former bodyguard, of an illegal drug trading charge on the ground of reasonable doubt.

Earlier, a Quezon City court also dismissed De Lima's two disobedience cases. — VDV, GMA Integrated News