De Lima free to appeal drug raps before CA: DOJ

“Suffice it to say that Senator de Lima is free to take all available legal remedies, as she has freely done since the time that she was indicted for serious criminal offenses,” Guevarra said in a message to newsmen over the weekend. (File Photo: Senate of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA – Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said his office welcomes moves by lawyers of incarcerated Sen. Leila de Lima to elevate to the Court of Appeals (CA) the decision of the Office of the Ombudsman which dismissed her complaint against the justice chief.

“Suffice it to say that Senator de Lima is free to take all available legal remedies, as she has freely done since the time that she was indicted for serious criminal offenses,” Guevarra said in a message to newsmen over the weekend.

Guevarra also said since the case is now with the CA, it is now covered by the sub judice rule.

“If asked to comment, I will make the comment in court. It is not my policy to discuss in public cases which are under litigation or review, because such act may constitute contempt of court which is punishable under existing rules,” Guevarra said.

Defense counsels representing de Lima have asked the appellate court to review the decision of the Office of the Ombudsman which dismissed the administrative complaint she lodged against Guevarra over the use of convicts at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) as state witnesses in the drug cases against her.