Former Senator Leila De Lima has announced her intention to appeal to the Supreme Court after the Court of Appeals (CA) nullified her acquittal previously issued by the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC).
De Lima clarified that the CA’s decision does not render her acquittal legally ineffective, asserting that her acquittal is final and should no longer be appealable under the constitutional principle of double jeopardy.
She emphasized that while the CA ruling can still be appealed, her prior acquittal remains binding and should not be reversed.
De Lima also questioned the CA’s expectation for the RTC to issue a new ruling, expressing concern over the implications of the appellate court’s directive.
Earlier, the Eighth Division of the CA issued a 12-page resolution granting the Office of the Solicitor General’s petition for certiorari and remanding the case to Branch 204 of the Muntinlupa RTC.
The CA noted that RTC Branch 204 Presiding Judge Abraham Alcantara failed to sufficiently explain or provide legal justification for De Lima’s acquittal in the drug-related case.
De Lima remains firm in her legal stance and is preparing to challenge the CA ruling before the country’s highest court.