Palace distances itself from SC ruling on De Lima’s petition

October 10, 2017

Malacanang distanced itself from the decision of the Supreme Court junking detained Senator Leila de Lima's petition to recall the arrest warrant and dismiss the drug charges hurled against her.

"That is within the Supreme Court’s purview. We leave it to them to address that," said Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella in a press briefing Tuesday.

In a vote of 9-6, the Supreme Court dismissed De Lima's petition for lack of merit.

De Lima, a staunch critic of President Rodrigo Duterte, had questioned the issuance of a warrant of arrest against her by Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court Judge Juanita Guerrero.

De Lima could file a motion for reconsideration within 15 days from the receipt of the decision.

The lady senator allegedly benefited from the illegal drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison when she was still the secretary of the Department of Justice during the previous administration.

De Lima denied the allegations. Celerina Monte/DMS