Originally published by ABS-CBN News in Filipino
(July 22, 2022) – A YouTube channel claimed that detained former senator Leila De Lima will spend an additional 12 years in prison because she lost her reelection bid in the 2022 elections.
This claim is false.
CLAIM:
On June 17, “Showbiz Fanaticz” uploaded a video titled “JUST IN: Matapos MATALO sa SENADO| LEILA DE LIMA muling MAKUKULONG ng 12 yrs.| “MABUBULOK KA NA DYAN” on its YouTube account.
“Matapos matalo sa kanyang senatorial bid ay tila hindi pa raw sumusuko ang senadora, at umaasang makakalaya at mapapawalang-sala,” said the vlogger. “Ngunit tiniyak mismo ng mga abogadong nagsampa ng kaso kay Leila De Lima na mukhang pang-habambuhay na ito sa bilangguan.”
RATING: False
FACTS:
No solid evidence can back up the claim of the vlogger. Atty. Dino De Leon, the legal counsel of De Lima, stressed that the result of the recent elections would have no bearing on the status of her cases. He pointed out that only the courts can decide what will happen to her remaining charges.
“It is the strength and the merits of the case,” De Leon told ABS-CBN Fact Check Team. “Wala kaming nakikitang malakas na evidence against De Lima. But we leave it up to the discretion of the judge.”
De Leon flatly rejected the insinuations made in the video.
“Kitang-kita naman na kasinungalingan ito. Kasi as of the moment, ‘yung mga testigo ng prosecution mismo ang nag-recant,” said De Leon.
De Lima has been in jail for over five years now. She was first brought to Camp Crame after the Department of Justice filed cases for her alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade. She was accused of violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Only one of her drug cases—Criminal Case 17-166—has so far been dismissed because of weak evidence. It was the case where she was accused of extorting drug money from convicted drug lord Peter Co through her co-accused Jose Adrian Dera.
Recently, Kerwin Espinosa and Rafael Ragos were among those who recanted their testimonies against De Lima.
Ronnie Dayan, her co-accused, also walked back on his allegations as he claimed that he was only forced to testify against De Lima.
De Lima’s camp has filed two separate motions for bail in a bid to give her temporary liberty while the hearings go on.
WHY THIS MATTERS:
It was not the first time that the “Showbiz Fanaticz” YouTube channel was flagged by fact-checkers like ABS-CBN for peddling false information.
Its false video on De Lima earned 32,745 views and 1,400 likes more than a month since it was posted.
With research from Yev Monarquia, ABS-CBN Investigative & Research Group
This article was translated from the fact-check report of ABS-CBN News.
News5 and ABS-CBN News are part of #FactsFirstPH which brings together various sectors that are committed to promoting truth in the public space, and exacting accountability on those who harm it with lies. For those interested to join the initiative, e-mail info@factsfirst.ph. Message News 5’s Facebook page if you want to have any claims fact-checked. Read our fact-checking policy here.
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