Former Philippine Senator Leila de Lima secured bail amidst international scrutiny

A Philippine court has granted bail to former senator Leila de Lima, who is facing accusations of receiving drug money in what she claims to be a politically motivated case.

Numerous witnesses against her have retracted their testimony since the end of President Duterte’s term last year, and international pressure has mounted for her release.

Despite President Duterte facing an International Criminal Court investigation for alleged crimes against humanity related to the summary execution of around 7,000 suspected drug dealers during his six-year anti-drug campaign, Leila de Lima is set to be freed on bail. The European Union’s ambassador to the Philippines, Luc Veron, expressed satisfaction with the news, calling it a “significant step for #RuleOfLaw in the Philippines.”

Duterte’s successor, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, has notably scaled back the anti-drug campaign since assuming office last June. De Lima, who served five years of her six-year term as senator from behind bars, also faced electoral defeat in 2022.

Known as Duterte’s most persistent critic throughout his political career, De Lima held key positions, including chairperson of the Philippines’ Commission on Human Rights and justice minister during Duterte’s tenure as mayor. Duterte’s controversial drug war, initially implemented in Davao City, was expanded nationally during his presidency, with reports of door-to-door searches and suspects being shot for alleged resistance.

Aside from criminal proceedings, De Lima endured televised hearings in the House of Representatives, led by Duterte’s allies, which revealed embarrassing details about her personal life, including an affair with her driver. The driver initially claimed to have delivered bribe money to De Lima but later withdrew his statement. As the legal saga unfolds, international observers are closely watching the developments surrounding the case against the prominent Duterte critic.