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Leila de Lima Acquitted: Vindication and Call for Justice

Celebration erupts as Leila de Lima is acquitted, marking a moment of vindication and renewing calls for justice. Dive into the story of this high-profile case and the implications it holds for the future.

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Background

Leila de Lima, a former senator in the Philippines, was detained for six years after criticizing President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs. She was held on charges of taking bribes from drug traffickers, which she consistently maintained were false and aimed at silencing her opposition to the government’s campaign.

Legal Battles

Ms. de Lima was released on bail in November 2023 after five witnesses recanted their testimony. Over time, she was acquitted of two of the three charges filed against her. On Monday, a court in Muntinlupa acquitted her of the last charge, ruling that the prosecution failed to prove her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Vindication and Call for Justice

Following the court ruling, Leila de Lima expressed her sense of vindication and emphasized that true justice would only be achieved when those responsible for her persecution are held accountable. Supporters, many wearing yellow in solidarity with her Liberal Party affiliation, cheered her outside the courthouse.

Carlos Conde, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch, commended the dismissal of the charges and urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration to cooperate with the International Criminal Court in investigating Duterte’s drug war. He stressed the importance of upholding human rights and ensuring accountability for past abuses.

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