Muntinlupa judge junks plea to consolidate De Lima cases under one trial court

April 21, 2017 - 11:47 AM
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PhilStar file photo of Sen. Leila de Lima

MANILA, Philippines – Judge Juanita Guerrero of the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court-Branch 204 has thumbed down the plea of government prosecutors to consolidate the three illegal drug trade-related cases filed against Sen. Leila de Lima, according to a radio report Friday.

Guerrero is handling the drug trading charges (Criminal Case No. 17-165) against De Lima, former Bureau of Corrections officer-in-charge Rafael Ragos, and the senator’s former driver-bodyguard Ronnie Dayan.

It was Guerrero who ordered De Lima’s arrest last February. The senator has been detained at the Philippine National Police’s Custodial Center at Cam Crame in Quezon City since February 24.

The two other cases – 17-166 and 17-167 – are being handled by Judge Amelia Fabros-Corpuz of Branch 205 and Judge Patricia Manalastas-De Leon of Branch 206.