Duterte Critic ‘Completely Free’ as Philippine Court Drops Last Drug Case
- Ruling ends former Senator de Lima’s seven-year legal battle
- De Lima cases all filed during term of ex-leader Duterte
Leila de Lima acknowledges supporters outside a court in Manila, on June 24.
Photographer: Jam Sta Rosa/AFP/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
A Philippine court has cleared former Senator Leila de Lima of her remaining drug case, ending the seven-year legal battle of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s staunch critic.
“I am now completely free and vindicated. It’s very liberating,” de Lima told reporters on Monday outside the courtroom as she was cheered on by supporters.