DOJ prosecs ask Muntinlupa court for gag order to parties in drug cases vs De Lima

March 3, 2017

The justice department has asked the Muntinlupa City regional trial court to issue a gag order to those involved in the drug cases against Senator Leila de Lima from making comments.

Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Peter Ong invoked sub judice, which requires that once a case is filed in court, all parties are prohibited from discussing the case in public.

"That is the spirit of why we are asking the court for an order directing all parties from the government and the accused to refrain making comment, suggestions and even discussing the merits of the case," Ong told the lower court.

Ong said his motion to ask for a gag order for all parties was the prosecutors’ decision not by Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II.

De Lima and several others are facing cases for violating several provisions of the Comprehensive Dangerous Act of 2002 for the narcotics trade inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP). The court ordered her and two others arrested last week. DMS