Former Sen. Leila de Lima Speaks on Claim of Kerwin Espinosa vs. Sen. Bato dela Rosa
LEILA DE LIMA – The former Senator admitted that she is inclined to file a case against Sen. Bato dela Rosa following the claim of Kerwin Espinosa.
In 2017, one of the loudest issues in the political arena involved then-Senator De Lima who faced drug trade allegatons. Several individuals testified against the then-Senator which led to an arrest order being issued against her.
De Lima was detained for more than six (6) years in the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Facility. The cases filed against her were dismissed one-by-one. In November 2023, the former Senator was given the chance to have a temporary freedom by posting bail.
Former Sen. De Lima gained her temporary freedom. In June 2024, the last case against the former Senator was dismissed. Several individuals who testified against her also recanted their statements. One of them is self-proclaimed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa.
Kerwin Espinosa claimed that Sen. Bato dela Rosa allegedly forced him to link former Sen. Leila de Lima in the illegal drug trade. According to him, the then-PNP Chief allegedly made the deal with him if he did not want to have the same fate as his father.
Espinosa is the son of slain Albuera mayor Rolando Espinosa who died in his cell during a raid. Kerwin Espinosa apologized to former Sen. Leila de Lima for what he did. According to him, he is ready to face the consequence.
For her part, the former Senator previously said that she has already forgiven those who testified against her. However, she also admitted that it is a different case for those who instigated to pin her down.
Based on a recent report on ABS-CBN News, former Sen. Leila de Lima is inclined to file a case against Sen. Bato dela Rosa. According to the former Senator, she will talk to her lawyers about it.
“I’ll discuss it this afternoon with the lawyers. I’m inclined to file cases against Sen. Bato dela Rosa,” the former Senator said on ANC Headstart as per the report.
Previously, dela Rosa denied the claim of Espinosa. He also expressed his anger on the recanted testimony of the self-proclaimed drug lord.