De Lima camp: Gigi Reyes approach an option

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos’ administration provides a different political climate than that of his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte, who weaponized the rule of law against his critics, a lawyer of former senator Leila de Lima said.

During an interview with “The Chiefs” over OneNews, Dino de Leon, a lawyer of De Lima, said they are hopeful De Lima will immediately get justice for the trumped up charges of drug trade during Duterte’s administration.

“I would say that the independence of judiciary and independence of lawyers are better now compared to the previous administration,” he said. “The rule of law in the Philippines was weaponized against the opposition. Priests were charged and sedition was thrown at them.”

“I can go on and on and on, on how they’ve weaponized the justice system. We haven’t seen that in the Marcos administration, at least not yet. I hope it continues,” he added.

Maintaining her innocence of the drug charges, the camp of the former senator is eyeing the possibility of invoking to the Appellate Court the so-called “Gigi Reyes” doctrine for her speedy trial and long-overdue release.

Jessica Lucila “Gigi” Reyes, former chief of staff of former senator now presidential legal counsel Juan Ponce Enrile, was arrested and detained for allegedly stealing millions of pesos through fake projects and questionable non-governmental organizations in relation to the pork barrel scam.

After being detained for nine years, the SC ruled in her favor and granted her the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus. The ruling created a new form of the writ of habeas corpus that can be invoked by other petitioners.

De Leon said there are two pending petitions for bail for the release of the former senator, who has been locked up at the Camp Crame custodial center since February 2017.

“There are two petitions for bail at present. We always invoke the speedy trial, there is a possibility that we will file in the Appellate Court, invoking the Gigi Reyes doctrine through habeas corpus petition,” De Leon said, referring to the Supreme Court (SC).

“They (options) are being studied,” said De Leon, as he explained that the SC has just issued its decision. “We clearly need to study, senator De Lima instructed us to study the matter.”

He pointed out that several supposed witnesses against De Lima have already recanted and admitted that they were forced to testify falsely against De Lima, who criticized Duterte for alleged human rights violations during her term as the chair of the Commission on Human Rights and cases before the International Criminal Court.

De Leon maintained that there was really no basis for the charges against De Lima. He noted that only Herbert Colangco remains a witness against De Lima, but he still has no direct testimony or knowledge in the alleged drug trade.

Cam forgiven

Meanwhile, De Lima has forgiven whistle-blower Sandra Cam, who admitted that she “was used as a tool” for the former senator’s continued imprisonment.

De Leon said De Lima even felt sorry for Cam, who has a medical condition.

“She forgave Sandra Cam a long time ago, saying it was because she felt pity that she was sick. The pattern is consistent (they accused the senator and now recanted), like Rafael Ragos, Kerwin Espinosa and Ronnie Dayan,” De Leon added.

While De Lima has forgiven Cam, De Leon said she was waiting for the clarification and recantation of other individuals who wrongfully accused her.

“The senator’s question is, when will the other persons who allowed themselves to be used come out? There are many lawyers who trampled the justice system. They manufactured evidence against senator De Lima. They authored this biggest frame-up in Philippine history. When will they come out?” the lawyer asked.

Cam apologized to de Lima, admitting that she “was used as a tool” for the imprisonment of the former justice secretary that led to her almost six years of continued detention.

“I witnessed and shared her hardships of being unjustly imprisoned. I have asked for her forgiveness and I have expressed regret over my mistakes. And the restoration of our friendship is more important than politics,” Cam, assisted by her lawyers, said.

According to Cam, she was “an instrument in obtaining evidence used against De Lima,” especially during the inquiries into the drug trading at New Bilibid Prison conducted by both the House of Representatives and Senate in 2016.