Sara, Tulfo, Leni top choices for...

PAGE 1 younger Marcos has yet to reach the minimum required age of 40 to run for the presidency.

There are talks that Vice President Duterte aims to become a second-generation leader like Marcos.

The former mayor of Davao City has carved her own path and is one of the most formidable names in politics.

She, however, has remained tight-lipped about her political plans.

Sara Duterte was expected to run for president last year but in a move that surprised her supporters, chose to become Marcos’ running mate instead.

If she decides to run for president in 2028, many political observers predict that one of her biggest rivals would be House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Marcos’ cousin.

Tulfo has not publicly revealed if he has any presidential ambitions.

Robredo has stayed out of the political limelight following her defeat in the presidential race last year. g

De Lima files motion for reconsideration...

“For this reason, the evidence of the Prosecution in relation to the crossexamination conducted by the accused can no longer be categorized as merely prima facie, the term itself being literally translated as ‘on its face’, i.e., devoid of any other evidence other than what would be uncontested assertions that remain unrebutted,” De Lima’s motion also read as it cited the court’s use of “prima facie” in its decision to deny bail. De Lima said the court had relied only on testimony from prosecution witnesses “is unprecedented, unfounded, and almost brazen.”

“At this point of the trial, the Honorable Court is no longer a passive observer, but it already assumes the role of a discerning arbiter of the law and dispenser of justice. As such, in its exercise of judicial discretion in the granting or denial of bail, it should be guided in its appreciation of evidence as it would in arriving at its final judgment,” De Lima also said.

Bail denial

In this specific case, de Lima faces the same conspiracy to commit drug trading charge along with six others.

The court resolved the bail petition filed by de Lima and co-accused Joenel Sanchez, Franklin Bucayu, Ronnie Dayan and Jad Dera.

De Lima had argued before the court that the “prosecution failed to show proof evident of the conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading between her and her co-accused.”

In weighing the petitions for bail, the court noted that the accused are facing a nonbailable case which leaves to the prosecution the burden to prove strong presumption of their guilt. Since the prosecution’s evidence is mostly testimonies, the weight will depend on the credibility and the witness’ competence, bias and manner of testifying, the court said.

“Considering the foregoing and after a careful review of the totality of prosecution’s evidence, the Court is convinced that the evidence of guilt against all the above-named accused for the crime of conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading is strong,” the June 7 ruling read. (Philstar.com)