The Supreme Court dismissed former Senator Leila De Lima’s appeal challenging Senate rules that barred her from attending committee meetings or hearings while she was imprisoned.

The CA’s 10th Division rejected De Lima’s certiorari petition as moot in a five-page opinion written by Associate Justice Jaime Fortunato Caringal.

“Given that the petitioner is no longer a Senator, We hold that the sole issue in this case has already been mooted. The adjudication of the present petition becomes unnecessary,” the CA wrote.

De Lima finished 23rd in the 2022 senate election, falling short of the Top 12. Senators Richard Gordon and Antonio Trillanes 4th were both running for reelection.

Several investigations were performed by the Senate and House of Representatives regarding the spread of harmful medicines inside the National Bilibid Prison (NBP). As a result, multiple complaints were filed with the Department of Justice (DoJ).

A prosecutorial panel was then formed, and it suggested that De Lima be charged before the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court.

However, the Senate enacted Senate Resolution 372, which altered its rules to allow for teleconferencing during plenary sessions and committee hearings.

De Lima responded by writing to then-Senate President Vicente Sotto 3rd, expressing her right to take part in the sessions as a validly elected senator.