Court of Appeals Reverses De Lima Acquittal: Case Back to RTC

Court of Appeals Overturns De Lima Acquittal: Case Returned to Muntinlupa RTC Manila, Philippines – In a surprising turn of events, the Court of Appeals (CA) has declared the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court's (RTC) decision to acquit Senator Leila de Lima of drug charges as ‘null and void.’ This decision effectively returns the case back to the Muntinlupa RTC for further proceedings. The CA's ruling has sparked immediate reactions, particularly from Atty. De Lima herself. "Nagtataka kami sa desisyon ng Appeals," Atty. De Lima stated, expressing her bewilderment at the CA’s decision. She further questioned the legal basis for the CA’s action, hinting at procedural irregularities. The video shows Atty. De Lima discussing the decision and expressing her concerns. The CA’s decision is significant as it reopens a high-profile case that has been closely followed by the Philippine public. The reasons behind the CA's decision remain unclear, however, the reversal of the acquittal adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing legal battle. The case is now expected to return to the lower court for further deliberation and proceedings. The development underscores the ongoing complexities within the Philippine legal system.