Rep. De Lima urges DOJ probe into 10 prosecutors

A formal complaint was filed by the legal camp of former senator and now party-list Representative Leila de Lima with the Department of Justice (DOJ), urging Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla to launch an investigation against 10 prosecutors who filed an appeal in connection with her acquittal in a drug case.

The complaint for grave misconduct and gross ignorance of the law was filed by De Lima, through counsel Atty. Dino de Leon, for their alleged roles in persecuting her.

Named in the complaint are:

• Provincial Prosecutor Ramoncito Bienvenido T. Ocampo, Jr.

• City Prosecutor Blas Antonio M. Tuliao

• City Prosecutor Laurence Joel M. Taliping

• Deputy City Prosecutor Leilia R. Llanes

• Deputy City Prosecutor Evangeline Viudez-Canobas

• Deputy City Prosecutor Darwin G. Canete

• Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Rudy B. Ricamora, Jr.

• Senior Assistant City Prosecutor John Quincy D. Carandang

• Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Wendell P. Bendoval

• Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Alfred Joseph T. Jamora

De Lima, in the letter-complaint addressed to Remulla, seeks the prosecutors’ dismissal, forfeiture of their benefits, and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

De Leon, in a chance interview, said that the complaint is more than just a reaction to the cases against De Lima being withdrawn.

“My question is, the case has been withdrawn and was ordered by Sec. Remulla. Why there is a need to file a motion for reconsideration)? Well, unang-una, yung mere withdrawal nila does not cancel out the fact na pinersecute si Leila de Lima at nakulong halos 7 taon using the awesome powers and entire machinery of the state,” said the lawyer.

He added that De Lima was targeted for speaking out against the violent “war on drugs” and for investigating it as the chairperson of the Committee on Justice in the Senate.

The camp of De Lima warned of a larger threat by citing the danger to Filipinos if prosecutors “allow themselves to be used and weaponize the justice system to silence our duly elected leaders and even the people.”

He recalled the concept of “lawfare” that became prevalent during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte, where opposition members, clergy, and even ordinary citizens were targeted with cases.

De Leon said that it means that all are not safe, as he lamented that prosecutors who use their office for political persecution endanger the entire populace.

He stressed that the integrity of the DOJ itself has been “deeply eroded by this politically motivated persecution” and that accountability is essential to restoring public trust.

Under the complaint, the cases against De Lima were built on “coercion and lies,” specifically citing the recanted testimony of former Bureau of Corrections Officer-in-Charge Rafael Ragos, who died recently.

The former BuCor chief had confessed that he was coerced by then-Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre III to fabricate a story about delivering money to De Lima’s residence.

The complaint also points to the prosecutors’ filing of a second Motion for Reconsideration after De Lima’s acquittal in one of her cases.

This action, according to De Leon, is a clear violation of the constitutional prohibition against double jeopardy and constitutes “gross ignorance of the law.”

De Lima’s lawyer said the letter-complaint is “just the first in a series of actions” planned by De Lima’s legal team, since they are also eyeing filing a similar complaint with the Ombudsman and other appropriate agencies in the future.