The trial on former Senator Leila de Lima's remaining drug case will resume early next month with a new judge in charge.
The trial on former Senator Leila de Lima's remaining drug case will resume early next month with a new judge in charge.
The case will be heard by Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court Branch 204 Judge Abraham Joseph Alcantara starting on July 7 following a re-raffle, according to an order he issued on June 29.Alcantara was the judge whoDe Lima in the drug case involving former Bureau of Corrections officer-in-charge Rafael Ragos and her former driver-bodyguard Ronnie Dayan, citing ''reasonable doubt.
Ragos had claimed that he and aide Jovencio Ablen Jr. delivered P5 million in proceeds from the illegal drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison to De Lima's house in Parañaque City in 2012."Under the circumstances of this case, the testimony of witness Ragos is necessary to sustain any possible conviction. Without his testimony, the crucial link to establishing conspiracy is shrouded with reasonable doubt," Alcantara said in a decision released last month.
"Hence, this Court is constrained to consider the subsequent retraction of witness Ragos. Ultimately, the retraction created reasonable doubt, which warrants the acquittal of both accused," the judge added. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the acquittal showed that the country's justice system was working.
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