Drilon: It’s prosecution’s burden to prove case against De Lima

Senate Minority Leader Frank Drilon on Wednesday said the burden of proving the guilt of Senator Leila de Lima fell on the shoulders of the prosecution, as another witness admitted lack of knowledge about the allegations against the detained senator.

“In criminal cases, it is the duty and burden of the prosecution to present witnesses and other evidence that will establish the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt,” he said.

“A basic rule in evidence is that a witness can only testify on the facts that he or she knows of his or her own personal knowledge,” Drilon said in a statement.

He cited the admission of prosecution witness and kidnapping-for-ransom convict Noel Martinez that he had no personal knowledge of the alleged drug trade involving De Lima when she was still justice secretary.

Such admission “will be carefully weighed by the court,” Drilon said.

“Another prosecution witness, Vicente Sy, a convicted drug lord, admitted under oath that he has never met and he has never given campaign funds to Senator De Lima,” he noted.

Drilon also recalled that the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) told the court under oath that “there were not any suspicious transactions that would link Senator De Lima to the illegal drug trade.”

“All these testimonies and evidence will be considered by the court at the appropriate time. It is the duty of the court to weigh carefully and objectively the evidence presented by both parties. Only the court can decide on the merits and demerits of each evidence and witness presented before it,” he said.

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