A Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) junked former Senator Leila de Lima’s petition for bail, her legal counsel disclosed on Wednesday.

In a brief statement, lawyer Boni Tacardon said that Muntinlupa RTC Branch 256, which handles the third and remaining drug case of the former senator, junked her appeal to gain provisional liberty.

“Sad to inform you that the Court denied Sen. Leila’s Bail application. please wait for our official statement on the matter,” he said.

In the 35-page order dated June 7, RTC 256 presiding judge Romeo Buenaventura said that "the court finds the grounds not compeling."

"The accused herself admitted that though she is already a senior citizen and has several health issues, she is not suffering from any serious life-threatining health condition," he said.

Buenaventura also cited that the court does not find the hostage-taking incident, that occurred at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center last February 24, "to be injurious" to her health or endangered her life.

He added that the incident could be regarded as an “isolated occurrence and a matter falling within the responsibility of the PNP Custodial Center.”

"The culpability or innocence of the accused will still be decided on the basis of all the evidence presented by the parties and only after trial on the merits of the case," Buenaventura said.

The Muntinlupa RTC judge underscored that bail will be granted based on the weight of evidence of the case.

“Thus, all that the present resolution has determined is that based on evidence thus far adduced by the prosecution, the Court is convinced that there is a great probability that the crime charged has been committed and that the accused are the agents thereof,” Buenaventura said.

“After all that the evidence of guilt is strong does not equate to a find of proof of guilt beyond reasonable doubt,” he added.

The presentation of the prosecution's evidence-in-chief is scheduled on June 19 and June 16 at 2 PM.

Meanwhile, in a statement, the defense team of de Lima said they will file a motion for reconsideration.

"Umaasa tayo na sa ating MR, makikita ng Korte ang posisyon namin na kailanman hindi katanggap-tanggap o maaring pagkatiwalaan ang testimonya ng mga convicted criminals, lalo pa kung galit sila sa akusado na kanilang pinararatangan," they said.

"Tuloy ang laban natin para sa hustisya at kalayaan ni [former] Senator De Lima na mahigit anim na taon na pong nakakulong at nawalay sa kanyang pamilya at mga mahal sa buhay," de Lima's defense team further said.

Last May 12, Muntinlupa RTC Branch 204 acquitted de Lima in her second illegal drugs charges after it found insufficient evidence linking the latter to the drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison.