By Jonathan Hicap
A Muntinlupa court denied yesterday the motion filed by the camp of detained Sen. Leila de Lima to quash the case of conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading lodged against her by the Department of Justice (DoJ).
De Lima attended the hearing at the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 206 presided by Judge Lorna Navarro-Domingo. Also present were co-accused Ronnie Dayan and Joenel Sanchez.
The court has allowed the DoJ to amend the charges against De Lima from illegal drug trading to conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading under Republic Act 9165 or The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
De Lima’s camp filed a motion for reconsideration before the court to reverse its decision denying the motion to quash.
With this, the court has reset De Lima’s arraignment to July 27.
Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Ramoncito Ocampo Jr. said four other co-accused in the case are willing to be arraigned but these “legal skirmishes” are delaying the case.
Boni Tacardon, of the De Lima’s lawyers, said the court denied their motion to squash “more on the technicality” as the judge said that the information in the motion was already discussed.
