FILE PHOTO: Senator Leila de Lima, a fierce critic of President Rodrigo Duterte, has been in detention since February 2017 on drug charges she repeatedly denied and branded as fabricated. INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� The Department of Justice (DOJ) will be providing Senator Juan Edgardo 鈥淪onny鈥� Angara鈥檚 request for a status report on the cases of former senator Leila de Lima.
De Lima, facing drug trade charges before the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Courts has been in detention since 2017. One of the three cases against her has been dismissed, while two are undergoing trial. However, witnesses have recanted their testimony against the senator.
READ: Another witness retracts accusations vs De Lima, says he was 鈥榗oerced鈥�
鈥淲e will submit ASAP (as soon as possible) to the good senator Angara a status report on these cases,鈥� incoming DOJ spokesperson Atty. Jose Dominic Clavano told reporters.
Clavano said the prosecutors in charge 鈥渉ave already finished their presentation of evidence.鈥� So it is now the former senator鈥檚 turn to present her evidence.
Angara made the request during an organizational meeting of the Senate committee on justice and human rights to make sure that there is no unjust delay to the cases of his former colleague.
Earlier, a resolution was filed at the Senate calling for the release of de Lima.
READ: Resolution to free Leila聽de聽Lima聽filed聽in聽Senate
But Remulla said, 鈥渢he matter is already within the jurisdiction of the Muntinlupa Trial Court, which has sole power and authority to act on the pending case against the former senator.鈥�