SC poised to affirm validity of de Lima’s arrest

The Supreme Court (SC) is poised to deny the petition of Sen. Leila de Lima seeking to nullify her arrest and the filing of drug-related charges against her before courts in Muntinlupa City, a reliable source of The Manila Times in the High Court revealed over the weekend.

With President Rodrigo Duterte having four appointees in the high court – Associate Justices Samuel Martires, Noel Tijam, Andres Reyes Jr. and Alexander Gesmundo – a majority of up to 10 magistrates is expected to vote in favor of the adverse decision to be penned by Associate Justice Presbiterio Velasco, Jr.