The Department of Justice (DOJ) panel of prosecutors has filed a motion asking the presiding judge of Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 204 to voluntary inhibit himself from handling former Senator Leila de Lima's last and remaining illegal drug case.
In the motion for voluntary inhibition filed on Wednesday, the DOJ panel of prosecutors asked Muntinlupa 204 presiding judge Abraham Joseph Alcantara to stop hearing the last drug case of de Lima "to maintain and preserve the trust and faith of the party-litigants."
He was assigned to rule on her last drug case following the voluntary inhibition of Muntinlupa RTC Branch 256 Judge Romeo Buenaventura.
Alcantara was the judge who acquitted the former Senator in her second drug case.
"[T]he undersigned Panel of Prosecutors cannot help but be apprehensive that the Honorable Presiding Judge will carry over his perceptions to the instant case," the DOJ prosecutors said.
They added that Alcantara's voluntary inhibition will "erase any doubt" and "remove the impression that he will decide on the instant case in favor of the accused."
"In sum, considering that a near identical case was recently decided by the Honorable Presiding Judge of this court in favor of the accused therein, where the Decision thereon is still being assailed by the undersigned Panel of Prosecutors, it is humbly prayed that the Honorable Presiding Judge inhibit himself from hearing the instant case in order to avoid being misunderstood, his reputation for probity and objectivity preserved, and his impartiality to the administration of justice is served," the state prosecutors furthered.
Alcantara is scheduled to rule on de Lima's motion for reconsideration of her bail petition which was previously denied by Judge Romeo Buenaventura.
