If former Sen. Leila de Lima is not granted bail, she remains incarcerated for another nine months, the period within which Supreme Court judicial administrator Raul Villanueva ordered the Muntinlupa RTC trying the last case against De Lima to render judgment.

The additional nine months would extend the imprisonment of De Lima without conviction to seven years and two weeks or a total of 2,569 harsh and unjust days. 

It behooves the High Court, upon De Lima's petition, to grant her bail with judicious alacrity while she waits the adjudication of her last remaining case.

Each day in prison while the trial pends, is an odious and oppressive confinement which derogates her constitutional rights to bail and speedy trial.

EDCEL C. LAGMAN