Philippines: Ex-Senator Leila de Lima leaves jail

A Philippines court on Monday granted bail to Leila de Lima, a former human rights commissioner, justice minister and senator, allowing her to leave prison.

De Lima had been in jail for over six years on what she says were fabricated, politically motivated charges intended to silence her criticism of then-President Rodrigo Duterte and his bloody war on drugs.

"Bail granted," wrote her lawyer Filibon Tacardon. Outside the court, Tacardon told reporters, "We're ecstatic, happy." He said de Lima, who cried upon receiving the news, was now a step closer to freedom after nearly seven years in prison. De Lima was in the courtroom when the decision was handed down.

Upon her release, de Lima shouted to crowds outside the courtroom, "Precious freedom, free at last." 

"This is a moment of triumphant joy and also thanksgiving. I've been praying so hard for this day to come. It's very painful to be jailed despite being innocent," she said.

In June, her team appealed a previous court decision denying her bail. Calls for her release grew louder after Ferdinand Marcos Jr., was elected president last year, with rights groups, politicians and foreign diplomats making their plea.

De Lima's investigation into ex-President Rodrigo Duterte's 'war on drugs'

De Lima spent 10 years investigating"death squad" executions said to have been orchestrated by Duterte while he was mayor of Davao City and early in his presidency. Her work began during her time as Philippines human rights commissioner and continued during her tenure as justice minister (2010-2015).

She was elected to the Senate in 2016, the same year Duterte became president after running on a tough "law and order" campaign. De Lima, one of the strongman's few critics, railed against his so-called "war on drugs," which saw gangs of police murdering thousands of individuals who they labeled drug sellers or users, often under dubious circumstances.

Duterte, who publicly demeaned her in speeches and instigated hate campaigns against her on social media, accused de Lima of working with criminals to run a prison drug-trafficking ring during her time as justice minister.

De Lima lost her 2022 Senate reelection bid, which she ran from prison.

De Lima's time in prison

De Lima suffered various health problems while in prison and was even taken hostage when three militants attempted a breakout in October 2022.

Two of the three charges against her were dropped after several witnesses died or recanted prior testimony.

After Monday's ruling, Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla said, "democracy is alive and well in our country." 

"We continue to follow her case closely and look forward to seeing the remaining charges against her resolved in accordance with Philippine law," wrote US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson on X.

Rights groups welcomed the news, too, but also called for those behind her detention to be held accountable.

"She never should have been unjustly prosecuted and detained by former President Rodrigo Duterte," said Bryony Lau, deputy Asia director of the NGO Human Rights Watch.

Amnesty International called for the remaining charge against de Lima to be, "dismissed expeditiously" and those who helped jail her to "be brought to justice."

js/rt (AFP, AP, Reuters)