Detained former senator Leila De Lima appealed to President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. to order the Department of Justice (DOJ) to stop blocking the testimony of recanting witnesses in her drug-trafficking case.
In a Twitter post on Thursday evening, De Lima asked Marcos to stop the DOJ from blocking the testimony of key witness Rafael Ragos.
Ragos, a former Bureau of Correction (BuCor) officer-in-charge, was supposed to testify his affidavit of recantation in the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) last Sept. 30.
However, the DOJ prosecutors filed a motion and opposed him from taking the witness stand.
De Lima also asked Marcos to stop the justice department from presenting Herbert Colangco who was an “obviously perjured” witness.
Mr. President @bongbongmarcos , I will not and will never ask you to interfere with the courts. This is my earnest and most respectful plea to you, your Excellency: Order DOJ to stop blocking the testimony of the recanting prosecution witness Rafael Ragos [1/2]
— Leila de Lima (@AttyLeiladeLima) October 13, 2022
She noted that she would not and would never ask Marcos to interfere with the court.
Earlier, the Malacañang said Marcos “cannot and will not intervene” in de Lima’s case and they would leave it to the court’s discretion.
“You can reverse the grievous wrongs inflicted on me by your predecessor. Please, Mr. President. Salamat po,” de Lima said.
