Muntinlupa Court Ordered To Arrest Sen. Leila de Lima For Drug Charges

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A Regional Trial Court (RTC) has ordered the arrest of Senator Leila de Lima for her alleged involvement in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) illegal drug trade.

Justice Secretary V. Aguirre told ANC Thursday that he was expecting the issuance of the arrest warrant.

"I am expecting it because we have filed a strong case against the Secretary-Senator and in her defense, she did not file a counter affidavit," Aguirre said.
"The warrant of arrest is inevitable," 

Presiding Judge Juanita Guerrero of Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 204 signed the order to issue an arrest warrant against De Lima.

De Lima's three criminal cases were raffled off to Muntinlupa RTC branches 204 (Judge Juanita Guerrero), 205 (Judge Amelia Fabros-Corpuz) and 206 (Judge Patria Manalastas-de Leon) last Monday.

Several complaints filed by Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC), former NBI deputy directors Reynaldo Esmeralda and Ruel Lasala, and Bilibid inmate Jaybee Sebastian alleged that 

De Lima directed high-profile Bilibid inmates to distribute huge volumes of shabu to help fund her 2016 senatorial bid.

According to some source, an Attorney says, the Senator Can't be arrested while she's inside the Senate.

Pimentel said law enforcers must coordinate with Senate security if they plan to serve the warrant there.

“Senator De Lima, I believe has no choice and she is willing also to comply with the arrest warrant of the court,” Pimentel said.

Source: ABS-CBN