Court sets De Lima free, dismisses last drug case

By Joel E. Zurbano

FORMER senator Leila de Lima was acquitted in the last remaining criminal charges against her, ending years of legal battles for one of the most vocal critics of former president Rodrigo Duterte and his deadly drug war.

Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court Branch 206 Judge Gener Gito on Friday granted De Lima's demurrer in her last remaining drug case.

By Maricel V. Cruz

HOUSE Speaker Martin Romualdez was assured by leaders of the Philippine Rice Industry Stakeholders Movement (PRISM) on Monday that rice prices would significantly drop to as low as P42 per kilo next month. PRISM founders Rowena Sadicon and Orly Manuntag met with Speaker

The former justice secretary had spent a decade investigating "death squad" killings allegedly orchestrated by Duterte until she was arrested in 2017 and spent more than six years in prison. "I am now completely free and vindicated. It's very liberating," an emotional De Lima told reporters as she emerged from the courtroom.

"Despite the pain and injustice of it all, I went through it and endured the whole process."

Romualdez and other leaders of the House of Representatives at the Manila Golf and Country Club in Makati City.

PRISM is a group composed of various stakeholders across the rice value chain from seed growers, farmers, millers to traders, importers and retailers. Manuntag expressed his gratitude to the Speaker and other lawmakers for