De Lima acquitted of drug charge

administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte whom she criticized over his brutal “war on drugs.”

MANILA — While government prosecutors were able to prove the existence of the drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison, their efforts to implicate former Sen. Leila de Lima in it crumbled due to the recantation of their erstwhile star witness.

This was the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 204’s decision on one of two remaining drug cases against De Lima filed during the

The court through Presiding Judge Abraham Joseph Alcantara was constrained to consider former Bureau of Corrections officer-in-charge Rafael Ragos' recantation as his testimony that De Lima received P10 million from proceeds of the drug trade inside the national penitentiary was necessary to convict her and her aide, Ronnie Dayan.

“Without his testimony, the crucial link to establish conspiracy is shrouded with reasonable doubt,” read the 39-page decision of the court which was handed down on Friday, May 12. “Ultimately, the retraction created reasonable doubt which warrants the acquittal of both accused.”

Rare exception

The court said that while recantations are “viewed with suspicion and reservation” and are “exceedingly unreliable,” there are special circumstances under which these can be given  PAGE A2

by JEAN

MANILA — Former Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, as well as other members of their 2022 national elections running slate, welcomed Muntinlupa court’s decision to acquit former senator Leila de Lima of her drug case.

At the same time, they are disappointed at how long it took for the lawmaker to be set free. Pangilinan, who ran for vice president in 2022 together with presidential aspirant Leni Robredo, said their camp had always believed in de Lima’s innocence for the past six years.

“Even as it has come more than six years after her imprisonment on fabricated and baseless accusations, we nevertheless welcome the Court’s verdict. Mula unang araw pa lang ng kanyang pagkulong ang posisyon natin ay gawa gawa lamang ang mga paratang at walang katiting na tunay na ebidensya laban (kay) Leila. Ang ebidensya lahat fabricated,”

AMONG developed nations the United States stands unique in the centrality of religion for millions of Americans. And as the population becomes more diverse, interfaith collaborations could be key to reversing the alarming rise in hate-based violence.

About two-thirds of Americans identify as Christians, according to a 2021 Pew Research study. About 6% of Americans are affiliated with non-Christian religions, including Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism and other faiths.

Pew’s research also found that 3 out of 10 Americans identify with no religion, but 72% of “nones” still have belief in God or a higher power.

“We are living in a chaotic era. There are conflicts in life, wars between nations and clashes between ideologies,” said Abbot Hui Dong of the Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple in Hacienda Heights, California. “A good way to stop hateful behaviors and to have happiness

MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has urged all involved parties to abide by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) to ensure that the South China Sea does not become a “nexus for armed conflict.”

Marcos issued the remark on Thursday, May 11 at the 42nd Asean Summit Retreat Session in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia, where he described Unclos as the “constitution of the oceans.”

“We will continue to urge all to abide by the 1982 Unclos, as ‘the constitution of the oceans.’ We must ensure that the South China Sea does not become a nexus for armed conflict,” he said.

In his intervention, Marcos said the Philippines is committed to the implementation of the Declaration of the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (SCS) and the early conclusion of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct.

“We must avoid the ascendance of might and the aggressive revision of the international order. In an increasingly  PAGE A2

MANILA — For Vice President Sara Duterte, it’s time to finish the war against the communist insurgency and bring peace, particularly in the countryside.

“We cannot let these things continue,” Duterte said during a meeting on Wednesday, May 10 of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTFELCAC), wherein she was designated as covice chair. “The so-called protracted war must end. And it must end now.”

Duterte, who earlier rejected a call to resume the peace negotiations with the communist groups, lauded the members of the task force for their commitment to end the communist insurgency.

“This is a commitment to bring about peace in our country, especially in the countryside, where our armed enemy feed on the innocence of the people and poverty that these terrorists perpetuate themselves,” Duterte said.

“This is a show of force – a clear, strong and powerful statement and warning – against the enemies of the state who slaughter civilians and indigenous peoples, abduct and murder and execute members of our security forces and attempt to pin down our progress as a nation through their ideals anchored on brainwashing, fear and terrorism,” she added.

Focus on education woes

But various groups said Duterte’s additional role in the anti-communist task force would further divert her attention from

MANILA — There has been a pivot in the Philippines’ foreign policy since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took the highest position in the country.

Now, the country is dancing with two global powers – restoring ties with the United States but “not closing its doors” to China.

Chester Cabalza, founder and president of the International Development and Security Cooperation, said this on Thursday, May 11 as he noted that the end goal of the Marcos administration is still to achieve independent foreign policy.

“We are not siding on one side. It just so happens that Washington was able to articulate well what they want for the Philippines, and we have common national interests and threats. That’s the reason why Marcos Jr. is engaging with Washington–with President Joe Biden. The foreign policy is in Washington’s favor right now. But we’re not closing the doors to Beijing,” Cabalza said over INQside Look.

The United States and the  PAGE A2