De Lima lalaya na matapos makapagpiyansa

CNN Philippines

Makakausap natin ngayon sa Zoom si Human Rights Lawyer Chel Diokno.  Naging kasama ni Diokno si De Lima na tumakbo bilang Senador noong nakaraang 2022 elections sa ilalim ng partido ni dating Vice President Leni Robredo.   Visit our website for more #NewsYouCanTrust: https://www.cnnphilippines.com/  Follow our social media pages:  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CNNPhilippines • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cnnphilippines/ • Twitter: https://twitter.com/cnnphilippines

Transcript

00:00 [Music]

00:03 We will talk now on the phone, or Zoom,

00:07 with Human Rights Lawyer Chell Diokno.

00:10 Diokno was with the five who ran as Senators

00:15 during the last 2022 elections under the party of former Vice President Lenny Robredo.

00:21 Good evening to you, Attorney Chell.

00:23 Good evening to you and to all the listeners.

00:28 Attorney Chell, there's a lot of celebration going on

00:31 for this, well, temporary freedom for Laila de Lima.

00:35 But in a drug case, and given the gravity of the charges, the accusation,

00:42 is this a big thing that she will finally be able to bail?

00:46 Yes, it's a big success for Laila and for the justice.

00:53 She should have been released a long time ago, actually,

00:58 because we saw that the evidence of the prosecution was very weak.

01:03 What I also want to say is that I greet Sen Laila.

01:08 Despite having been in prison for seven years, or almost seven years,

01:13 she really defended her principles and fought for her innocence.

01:22 Attorney Chell, of course, like we were saying earlier,

01:24 the case is still ongoing.

01:26 In any court case, prosecution presents first and then defense.

01:32 There are many who are afraid that defense will do the demurral to evidence,

01:38 that they will not present because the evidence is weak.

01:43 Usually, in this case, what would you suggest or advise that they do?

01:51 Would you be privy to what will be the legal team's move by Sen Laila?

01:57 I don't know what their decision will be.

02:02 But it's always an option if, for example, there is a decision like that,

02:07 that has a grant of bail, it means that the evidence is weak,

02:11 there is no strong evidence of guilt.

02:13 And that can also be the basis to file a demurral.

02:18 A demurral means that the case should be dismissed immediately

02:22 even if the defense does not present evidence.

02:26 Attorney Chell, my final question to you is,

02:28 what does this say about the case, not just the legalities of it,

02:34 all the details, the evidence, or lack of evidence thereof, as some claim,

02:39 but also the fact that this was filed at the start of the Duterte administration,

02:45 former President Duterte himself taking a very keen interest in this case,

02:50 and in Laila de Lima herself.

02:52 And now, she's been granted bail a year and a half into the Marcos administration.

02:58 What are the political ramifications or implications, if you will?

03:03 This case is a bit deep, and if we look at it,

03:08 it's also a reflection of how our law was weaponized.

03:12 If we remember, President Duterte's words were first before the case was filed,

03:19 when, of course, what should have happened was an investigation

03:24 before filing a complaint.

03:27 And we also saw that there were many witnesses who recounted.

03:31 That means that's a sign that at first,

03:35 there was something that happened, that's why they were the first to witness.

03:42 So I think that when this is over, when all the smoke clears,

03:48 there has to be an accounting, there should be an answer to what happened.

03:52 What is the "something," Attorney General?

03:55 What is the "something," and also my other final question is,

03:59 when you say that there should be an accounting, there should be an answer,

04:03 what exactly are you referring to?

04:06 If you recall, before any cases were filed against Senator Lima for illegal drug trading,

04:14 the damage he received from President Duterte,

04:20 there was slut-shaming, there was attacking him as a woman,

04:24 there were so-called purported sex videos,

04:28 that was all designed to destroy her reputation.

04:31 And that's where the cases of illegal drug trading followed,

04:35 where the main witnesses were convicted felons.

04:39 So I think that we need to study this situation well.

04:46 If they can do it to a senator, a well-known lawyer,

04:52 anyone can do it easily.

04:55 Are you saying, Attorney Chell, that there could be a case of perjury?

05:00 Not only that, I think there has to be,

05:03 what happened to Senator Laila is not just a crime against her,

05:06 to me it's a crime against the people.

05:08 Because it's the law of the land,

05:10 and it shouldn't be used for any political or personal purposes.

05:16 But of course, we'll have to see how the case turns out in the end,

05:19 what will be the decision.

05:20 Although, of course, the first two cases were dismissed,

05:23 given your years of experience, your decades of experience,

05:27 usually, if this happens, even the third case,

05:31 and then you're still on bail,

05:34 is this also going to be dismissed?

05:36 Or is she going to be told by the court that she's innocent?

05:41 I can't say that.

05:45 Only the judge can decide that.

05:47 But we're very optimistic about what will happen in the case.

05:51 Thank you very much, Attorney Chell Diokno.

05:54 (chewing)

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