De Lima's Acquittal Upheld: Court of Appeals Decision Sparks Debate

Former Philippine Senator Leila de Lima's acquittal in a drug case has been upheld by the Court of Appeals, but the decision's reasoning has sparked debate. De Lima insists the acquittal is justified, stating, “...kasi naman talaga, talagang may dahilan, may basehan ‘yung pag-acquit sa akin.” However, the Department of Justice, through spokesperson Mico Clavano, explained that the Court of Appeals did not overturn the acquittal but rather clarified the lower court's decision. Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio criticized the Court of Appeals decision, calling it "void for failure to comply with the constitution." Meanwhile, Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia confirmed that De Lima’s proclamation as party-list representative will proceed. The case's future trajectory remains uncertain, with the possibility of an appeal to the Supreme Court.