Jamaine Punzalan

Tindig Pilipinas, a coalition of pro-democracy groups, political parties, and impeachment complainants, holds a press conference on Tuesday, June 4, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Adrian Ayalin

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:9960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175324738566720250604-tindig-pilipinas-presscon-MT-1.jpg" style="width:9960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Tindig Pilipinas, a coalition of pro-democracy groups, political parties, and impeachment complainants, holds a press conference on Tuesday, June 4, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — The Department of Justice said Wednesday it would withdraw the motion for reconsideration filed by government prosecutors before the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court Branch 204 which effectively sought for the conviction of Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima in her illegal drugs case.</p><p>Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon said the decision to withdraw was made after he spoke with DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.</p><p>“We did talk and agree to withdraw the MR filed by the trial prosecutors on the grounds of double jeopardy,” Fadullon said. </p><p>In a video clip posted on the Facebook page Insurers for Good Governance, Remulla was asked to comment on the move of DOJ prosecutors who handled the case of de Lima.</p><p>“I actually talked to the Prosecutor General this morning and told him to stop the foolishness of these people under us because they are following a political agenda, not a legal agenda, so we will take over the case,” Remulla said.</p><p>In the appeal filed by the prosecutors led by Provincial Prosecutor Ramoncito Bienvenido Ocampo, the recantation of witness Rafael Ragos against de Lima was not sufficient to “vitiate” his original testimony.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/15/doj-prosecutors-ask-muntinlupa-court-to-convict-de-lima-in-illegal-drugs-case-1952=">DOJ prosecutors ask Muntinlupa court to convict De Lima in illegal drugs case</a></div><p>The motion for reconsideration of the prosecutors resulted from the remand by the Court of the Appeals to the RTC of its decision to acquit de Lima. </p><p>The RTC however stood its ground and upheld the acquittal of de Lima.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/15/court-of-appeals-remands-de-lima-drug-case-to-lower-court-1715">Court of Appeals remands De Lima drug case to lower court</a></div><p>Asked for clarification, Fadullon said he was only informed about the motion for reconsideration after it was filed.</p><p>“I learned about it through my staff whom they informed, after the panel of prosecutors had already filed it  because apparently it was already the deadline for the filing,” Fadullon said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/16/de-lima-may-sue-doj-for-never-ending-cycle-of-persecution-despite-acquittal-1540">De Lima may sue DOJ for &#x27;never-ending cycle of persecution&#x27; despite acquittal</a></div><p>De Lima thanked Remulla for “bringing sense and order to the unethical actuations” of the prosecutors.</p><p>But she called on the justice department to investigate and sanction the prosecutors who she accused of “acting on the basis of a political agenda” and remaining loyal to former president Rodrigo Duterte. </p><p>“Halos pitong taon akong ipinakulong sa tulong na rin at kooperasyon ng mga prosecutor na ito na tila ba walang konsensya sa pagyurak nila hindi lamang sa akin kundi sa ating sistemang legal. Ganun na lang ba yun?” De Lima said. </p><p>“If they are allowed to get away scot-free with what they have done, no one is safe. They should be made to account for what they have done,” she added. </p><div><br style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"/></div>

<p>The Department of Justice will withdraw the motion for reconsideration filed by government prosecutors before a Muntinlupa court which effectively sought for the conviction of Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima in her illegal drugs case.</p>

The Department of Justice will withdraw the motion for reconsideration filed by government prosecutors before a Muntinlupa court which effectively sought for the conviction of Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima in her illegal drugs case.

DOJ to withdraw appeal of prosecutors who wanted De Lima’s conviction on illegal drugs

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

DOJ to withdraw appeal of prosecutors who wanted De Lima’s conviction on illegal drugs

Adrian Ayalin,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 23, 2025 01:14 PM PHT

Read More:

ABSNews

ANC promo

De Lima

drug case

DOJ

Remulla

prosecutors

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.