De Lima lawyer: Prosecution’s own witness bolsters senator’s innocence

Government prosecutors “failed to establish” alleged conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading charge against opposition Senator Leila de Lima after one of their witnesses denied any involvement in illegal drug trading at the New Bilibid Prison.

Rolly Peoro, De Lima’s legal counsel, told reporters that the prosecution witness and kidnapping-for-ransom convict Noel Martinez testified that he does not know anything about the alleged drug transactions involving De Lima who was then Justice Secretary.

“Sinabi niya na una, wala siyang personal knowledge sa mga drug transactions. Wala rin daw silang personal involvement sa kahit anong drug transaction,” Peoro said after the February 9 court hearing in the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court (RTC), Branch 256.

“Nilinaw niya na kahit kaninong akusado—mula kay Senator De Lima, kay General Bucayu, kay Joenel Sanchez, kay Ronnie Dayan—wala silang personal transaction, lalo na sa droga,” he added.

Peoro stressed that the prosecution presented Martinez to support the trumped-up conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading charge against De Lima but the latter’s statement even turned out favorable for the senator’s case.

“Kung ito, si Noel Martinez mismo ang nagsabi na wala siyang kinalaman, wala siyang mga personal na transaksyon sa droga, panay referral lang daw dahil lahat daw ng mga nangyari na drug transaction galing sa labas, o nasa labas ng area, wala siyang kinalaman. Para sa amin ho, hihina yung claim ng Prosecution na may alam siya sa drug trading,” he said.

De Lima personally attended the hearing wearing a face mask, face shield, and personal protective equipment (PPE). She observed all safety protocols set by the Muntinlupa Hall of Justice before entering the premises.

It was the first time for De Lima to leave the PNP Custodial Center after almost a year since the Covid-19 restrictions started.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)