US urges Phl to resolve De Lima’s remaining drug case

The Philippines should resolve the remaining drug case of former senator Leila de Lima, who was released from detention after nearly seven years, the United States said Tuesday.

"The United States urges the Philippines to resolve the remaining case against her in a manner that is consistent with its international human rights obligations and commitments," US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement.

Miller said Washington also welcomes De Lima's release on bail after the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 206 granted her petition for her remaining drug case.

"The United States welcomes former Philippine Senator Leila de Lima's release on bail after nearly seven years of detention on politically motivated drug charges. Senator De Lima's release follows her acquittal in two out of three cases," he said.

De Lima, a staunch critic of former president Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs, has been in prison since 2017 for allegedly pocketing payoffs from drug lords when she was still the justice secretary to raise money for her senatorial campaign in 2016.

Two of the three illegal drug cases filed against her were already dismissed following the recantations of the witnesses in the respective cases.