Leila de Lima, a former senator in the Philippines who was detained for six years after criticizing President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, has been cleared of the last of the charges held against her. This marks a significant victory for the outspoken critic of the Duterte administration.
Ms. de Lima was arrested in 2017 on charges of accepting bribes from drug traffickers, a move widely seen as retaliation for her vocal opposition to the bloody drug war that resulted in thousands of deaths. Her detention served as a warning to others who dared to challenge the government’s policies.
Throughout her ordeal, Ms. de Lima maintained her innocence, claiming the charges were fabricated to silence her. After five witnesses recanted their testimony, she was released on bail in November 2023 and subsequently acquitted of two of the three charges against her.
On Monday, a court in Muntinlupa acquitted her of the final charge, citing a lack of evidence to prove her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Supporters, many wearing yellow in solidarity with the Liberal Party she represented, cheered as she left the court.
In a statement following the ruling, Ms. de Lima expressed a sense of vindication but emphasized that true justice would only be served when those responsible for her persecution are held accountable. Human Rights Watch also praised the dismissal of the charges and called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration to cooperate with the International Criminal Court’s investigation into Duterte’s drug war.
The case of Leila de Lima has been closely watched as a test of the Philippines’ commitment to upholding human rights and the rule of law. Her acquittal is seen as a step towards justice for those who have been targeted for speaking out against government abuses.
