Presidential aspirant and Vice President Leni Robredo appealed for the release of Senator Leila De Lima after the testimonies were retracted. 

According to Robredo, the allegation against De Lima has no basis and the five-year detention of the latter should be debunked as there were no single pieces of evidence proven against her. 

“Patunay lang ito ng katotohanang matagal ko nang iginigiit: Walang kaso laban kay Sen. Leila de Lima. Ang tanging kasalanan niya ay ang magsabi ng totoo at ipagtanggol ang karapatan ng mga kapwa natin Pilipino.” Robredo stated. 

Meanwhile, the former director of the Bureau of Corrections, Rafael Ragos, issued an affidavit that he was pressured by former secretary Vitallano Aguirre to testify on the drug allegation against De Lima and the latter’s aide, Ronnie Dayan. 

Drug lord Kerwin Espinosa also took back his statement that De Lima received illegal drugs and money from the other drug lords who were jailed in the bilibid prison. 

Because of these retractions, Robredo expressed to set the detained senator as soon as possible. 

“Wala nang dahilan para manatili sa piitan si Sen Leila. Dapat na siyang palayain sa lalong madaling panahon. Kaisa ko ang bawat Pilipinong naniniwala sa hustisya sa panawagan.” Robredo appealed. 

The Department of Justice (DOJ) will present its last three witnesses, excluding Espinosa, this coming May 16. 

DOJ also added that the recantation of Espinosa’s testimony against De Lima is allegedly “immaterial” to the prosecution’s case. 

Meanwhile, Acting Presidential Spokesperson Martin Andanar contradicted the recantation of Espinosa, saying that it has no impact on the De Lima case. 

“While Kerwin Espinosa appears to have recanted his allegations against Senator Leila de Lima, his recantation will not have any effect on the pending criminal cases against the lady senator.” Andanar said. 

Photo Credit: Facebook/VPLeniRobredoPH