Former Senator Leila de Lima Acquitted of Drug Conspiracy Charges by Muntinlupa Court

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The Muntinlupa court has acquitted former Senator Leila de Lima of the charge of “conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading.” This marks the second legal victory for De Lima after the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court Branch 204 handed down the decision.

De Lima's lawyer, Atty Filibon Tacardon, sent a message to reporters saying "acquitted," according to a report by GMA News. However, no other details about the case were revealed.

De Lima has held several positions in the government in the past, including as Senator, Department of Justice Secretary, and Human Rights Secretary. She was elected as Senator during the same election that saw former President Rodrigo Duterte become President of the Philippines.

It was President Duterte who first raised allegations about De Lima's alleged drug links. The former senator was arrested and detained on drug-related charges less than a year after the 2016 elections.

Despite her acquittal, De Lima may not be immediately released from detention, according to a report by Rappler. She will remain in custody until the Muntinlupa City RTC Branch 256 issues a resolution on her petition for bail.

The news of De Lima's acquittal has attracted a lot of attention from the public. Many supporters of the former senator have been pushing for her release from detention, claiming that the charges against her were politically motivated.

De Lima has been a vocal critic of the Duterte administration's war on drugs, which has resulted in thousands of deaths since its launch in 2016. Her case has been closely watched by human rights groups and political analysts as a test of the country's justice system.