Marilyn Cahatol

Department of Justice logo in this photo taken on August 3, 2023.  Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

BIR- TAX EVASION

Adrian Ayalin

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175257948854320230803-bir-tax-evasion-case-doj-JC3993.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Department of Justice logo in this photo taken on August 3, 2023.<em> Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA (UPDATED) — The panel of prosecutors of the Department of Justice filed a motion for reconsideration before the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court Branch 204 for the reversal of its acquittal of Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila De Lima in her illegal drugs case.</p><p>In the appeal filed by the prosecutors led by Provincial Prosecutor Ramoncito Bienvenido Ocampo, the recantation of witness Rafael Ragos was not sufficient to “vitiate” his original testimony.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/27/court-upholds-de-lima-s-dismissal-in-drug-case-2343">Court upholds de Lima’s dismissal in drug case</a></div><p>“To set aside a testimony which was solemnly taken before a court of justice in an open and free trial and under conditions precisely sought to discourage and forestall falsehood simply because one of the witnesses who had given testimony later on changed his mind would simply make a mockery of our criminal justice system,” the prosecutors said.</p><p>Last June 25, the court reiterated its decision to acquit De Lima following the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/15/court-of-appeals-remands-de-lima-drug-case-to-lower-court-1715">remanding</a> of the case by the Court of Appeals last April 30.</p><p>Presiding Judge Abraham Joseph Alcantara stood his ground and said that he has already “clearly and distinctly” stated the facts and law he used in his original May 12, 2023 decision to acquit De Lima.</p><p>The DOJ prosecutors however said Judge Alcantara did not substantially comply with the directive of the CA and erred in ascribing weight to the recantation of Ragos. </p><p>They also noted that there were other witnesses who proved the New Bilibid Prison illegal drug trading accusation against De Lima.</p><p>“The original testimony of Ragos was corroborated by other witnesses on all material points,” the prosecution said.</p><p>Asked for comment, De Lima said she does not understand what the prosecution is trying to do.</p><p>“Put me in triple jeopardy after nearly 7 years in unjust detention? Hindi na lang katawa-tawa ang ginagawa nila, nakakagalit na,” De Lima said.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/POnEj_oP1R0?si=_hgLZ2EQahHcWk6z" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>The panel of prosecutors of the Department of Justice filed a motion for reconsideration before the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court Branch 204 for the reversal of its acquittal of Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila De Lima in her illegal drugs case.</p>

The panel of prosecutors of the Department of Justice filed a motion for reconsideration before the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court Branch 204 for the reversal of its acquittal of Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila De Lima in her illegal drugs case.

DOJ prosecutors ask Muntinlupa court to convict De Lima in illegal drugs case

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DOJ prosecutors ask Muntinlupa court to convict De Lima in illegal drugs case

Adrian Ayalin,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 15, 2025 07:52 PM PHT

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Updated July 15, 2025 08:44 PM PHT

Read More:

De Lima

Muntinlupa Court

Illegal drugs

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