Ramoncito Ocampo

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Ramoncito Bienvenido T. Ocampo Jr., nicknamed "Sonny", [1] is a Filipino lawyer and former police officer currently serving as Bulacan's provincial prosecutor. At the Department of Justice, he led a panel of prosecutors in the drug trafficking cases against Senator Leila de Lima.

Contents

Education

Ocampo passed the Philippine Bar Examination in 2001. [2]

Career

Ocampo previously served as a Makati police homicide investigator in the 1990s and 2000s. [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] He later served as head of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Task Force by 2010. [8]

As a lawyer, Ocampo served as an assistant city prosecutor for Quezon City. [9] [10] [11] [12] In July 2010, Ocampo was appointed to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) after Justice Secretary Leila de Lima called on the agency to intensify its anti-human trafficking operations. [8] By March 2011, at the request of Secretary de Lima, Ocampo joined the Department of Justice prosecution panel for the agency's investigation into the Maguindanao massacre. [9]

Prosecution panel of Leila de Lima's drug trafficking cases

In 2017, Ocampo began serving as senior assistant state prosecutor in the prosecution panel of the Department of Justice's three drug trafficking cases filed against Senator Leila de Lima before the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Courts (RTC). [13] [14] [15] [16] In December 2017, the prosecution panel amended the complaints against de Lima and other co-accused, altering the charges from drug trading to conspiracy to commit drug trading; after de Lima's counsel criticized the amendments for delaying court proceedings, Ocampo stated that it was only meant to make the cases "more precise", noting that "We will not in any way prejudice the rights of the accused". [17] In the same month, Ocampo was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte to be the provincial prosecutor of Bataan. [18] [3] By 2018, Ocampo had been named as the lead prosecutor of the three cases. [14] In December 2020, Ocampo and the prosecution panel filed a contempt suit against Senator de Lima and her lawyer Boni Tacardon, charging them with violation of the sub judice rule when Tacardon issued press releases on de Lima's trials; the suit was filed after pro-Duterte blogger Mark Lopez brought Tacardon's statements to their attention. [19] The Supreme Court had previously ordered the Muntinlupa RTCs to allow media coverage of de Lima's trials in 2018. [20] In February 2021, Senator de Lima was acquitted by Judge Liezel Aquiatan at the Muntinlupa RTC Branch 205, citing the prosecution's lack of evidence that de Lima received ransom money from convicted drug trafficker Peter Co during the 2016 Senate election. [21]

On February 2, 2022, Ocampo was appointed by President Duterte as the provincial prosecutor of Bulacan, succeeding Renato D. Samonte Jr. [22]

In April 2023, state prosecutors attempted to present a new witness, lawyer Demiteer Huerta of the Public Attorney's Office, to one of de Lima's cases at Muntinlupa RTC Branch 204 after Judge Abraham Alcantara stated his intention to render judgement the next month. [23] Upon the acquittal of de Lima and her former driver Ronnie Dayan by RTC Branch 204 on May 12, 2023, Ocampo and the panel of prosecutors appealed for the court to reconsider its decision. [24] [25] [26] Ocampo and the prosecutors further objected to the raffling of de Lima's then-remaining drug case to Judge Alcantara for questions regarding his impartiality on a "near identical case" to what Alcantara gave his decision to in May, resulting in Alcantara recusing himself in July 2023. [27] [28] On July 6, Judge Alcantara upheld his court's initial decision in May and denied the prosecution's motion to reconsider de Lima's acquittal. [29] Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra, however, appealed the May decision to the Court of Appeals by September. [30]

In late 2023, several witnesses including retired policeman Jerry Valeroso recanted their accusations against de Lima for her remaining drug case, [31] [32] and by June 24, 2024, Muntinlupa RTC Branch 206 granted de Lima's demurrer petition, citing the prosecution's failure to "prove the guilt of all the accused beyond reasonable doubt" and thus acquitting her and other co-accused of conspiracy to commit drug trading. [33] [34] A motion for reconsideration filed by the prosecution panel was later denied by the court in August 2024. [34]

On April 30, 2025, the Court of Appeals granted Solicitor General Guevarra's petition and declared the RTC Branch 204's decisions from 2023 "null and void", remanding the case back to the RTC. [35] On June 27, 2025, RTC Branch 204 reaffirmed its initial 2023 decision, upon which the panel of prosecutors led by Ocampo filed a motion before the court to reconsider its final decision. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla criticized the panel of prosecutors' motion as "following a political agenda, not a legal agenda" and instructed Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon to "stop the foolishness of these people under us". [36] [37] By July 23, 2025, Ocampo and the prosecutor panel withdrew their motion for reconsideration before the RTC. [36] Former Supreme Court spokesperson Theodore Te denounced the attempt by Ocampo and his prosecution panel to overturn de Lima's acquittal as having "no manifest intent to follow the Constitution", stating that "There must be consequences for this rogue behavior." [38]

References

  1. Casilao, Joahna Lei (April 28, 2023). "New witness in De Lima trial done with testimony, promulgation to push through May 12 —lawyer". GMA News Online . GMA Network, Inc. Retrieved July 25, 2025. Meanwhile, Prosecutor Sonny Ocampo, the head of the panel of prosecutors[...]
  2. "University of the East - Philippines". Philippine Daily Inquirer . The Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inc. April 28, 2002. p. A17. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  3. 1 2 Izon, Rod (March 6, 2019). "After 30 years..." Facebook . Meta Platforms, Inc. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  4. Calalo, Arlie (June 11, 1992). "Unidentified men knife to death Binay nephew". Manila Standard . Vol. VI, no. 120. Kamahalan Publishing Corp. p. 13. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  5. People of the Philippines vs. Eduardo de Jesus y Enrile, Supreme Court E-Library (May 27, 2004)("In the meantime, police operatives from the Makati Police Station, including SPO4 Tomas Sipin and SPO1 Ramoncito Ocampo,[...]").
  6. Makati Shangri-La Hotel and Resorts, Inc. vs. Ellene Johanne Harper et al., Supreme Court E-Library (August 29, 2012)("On November 10, 1999, SPO1 Ramoncito Ocampo, Jr. interviewed Lumba about the incident in the Alexis Jewelry Shop.").
  7. Salaverria, Leila (January 8, 2003). "Gun-toting motorist scares enforcer into coma". Philippine Daily Inquirer . The Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inc. p. A22. Retrieved July 25, 2025. In a report, SPO1 Ramoncito Ocampo quoted doctors[...]
  8. 1 2 3 "DOJ orders intensified campaign vs human trafficking". Philstar.com . Manila, Philippines: Philstar Global Corp. July 31, 2010. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  9. 1 2 Punay, Edu; Araneta, Sandy (March 31, 2011). "5 fiscals join Maguindanao massacre panel". Philstar.com . Manila, Philippines: Philstar Global Corp. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  10. Padua, Reinir (February 1, 2012). "Fiscals wait for PNP to confirm death of suspect in car trader's slay". Philstar.com . Manila, Philippines: Philstar Global Corp. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  11. Mateo, Janvic (January 10, 2014). "QC eyes changes to justice hall after hostage-taker's jump". Philstar.com . Manila, Philippines: Philstar Global Corp. Retrieved July 23, 2025. Meanwhile, Assistant City Prosecutor Ramoncito Ocampo said[...]
  12. Enano, Jhesset O. (April 5, 2017). "Kadamay-led occupation stopped in QC; 40 charged". Inquirer.net . Inquirer Interactive, Inc. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  13. Morallo, Audrey (November 16, 2017). "Ex-BuCor chief dropped from De Lima drug cases". Philstar.com . Manila, Philippines: Philstar Global Corp. Retrieved July 24, 2025. [...]signed by state prosecutors Peter Ong, Leilia Llanes, Evangeline Canobas and Ramoncito Ocampo Jr.[...]
  14. 1 2 Gregorio, Xave (June 22, 2018). "Out For Yellows? Caloocan Prosecutor Who Doubted Kian's Innocence Now Handling De Lima Drug Cases". Politiko. MCD Multimedia Corporation. Retrieved July 23, 2025. Lead prosecutor Ramoncito Ocampo[...]
  15. Sauler, Erika (February 21, 2017). "3 judges to handle drug trafficking cases against De Lima". Inquirer.net . Inquirer Interactive, Inc. Retrieved July 24, 2025. The three charges against [Sen. Leila] De Lima landed on the sala of Branch 204 Judge Juanita Guerrero, Branch 205 Judge Amelia Fabros-Corpuz and Branch 206 Judge Patria Manalastas-De Leon.
  16. Senator Leila M. de Lima vs. Hon. Juanita Guerrero, The Lawphil Project (October 10, 2017)("The members of the DOJ Panel [in November 2016] are: Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Peter L. Ong, and Senior Assistant City Prosecutors Alexander P. Ramos, Leilia R. Llanes, Evangeline P. Viudez-Canobas, and Editha C. Fernandez.").
  17. Cabalza, Dexter (December 8, 2017). "DOJ amends drug charge vs De Lima again". Inquirer.net . Inquirer Interactive, Inc. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  18. Bataan Provincial Forensic Unit [@BataanCrimelab] (December 6, 2017). "PCI AYLIN C PEREZ renders Courtesy Call to the Newly Appointed Bataan Provincial Prosecutor Ramoncito Bienvenido T Ocampo Jr" (Tweet). Retrieved July 25, 2025 via Twitter.
  19. Buan, Lian (December 4, 2020). "DOJ's contempt suit against De Lima limits access to a trial watched by the world". Rappler . Rappler Inc. Retrieved July 24, 2025. The contempt suit is rooted in Tacardon's media releases from September to November, relaying testimonies made during the trial.[...] But when reporters ask for DOJ's version of the testimonies, the agency invoked sub judice.
  20. Lagrimas, Nicole-Anne C. (November 11, 2020). "DOJ wants De Lima lawyers cited in contempt over public statements on drug trial". Philstar.com . Philstar Global Corp. Retrieved July 24, 2025. In 2018, no less than the Supreme Court allowed media coverage of De Lima's trial, subject to conditions like reporters only being allowed to take down notes and not use recording devices.
  21. Cabalza, Dexter (February 18, 2021). "Court dismisses 1 of 3 De Lima drug cases". Inquirer.net . Inquirer Interactive, Inc. Retrieved July 25, 2025. In a 41-page omnibus order, Judge Liezel Aquiatan [...] granted De Lima's demurrer to evidence in Criminal Case No. (CCN) 17-166[...]
  22. Damicog, Jeffrey (February 2, 2022). "Lead prosecutor in Sen. De Lima's illegal drugs cases promoted Bulacan provincial prosecutor". Manila Bulletin . Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  23. Zablan, Clarist (April 19, 2023). "DE LIMA CASE | Prosecutors want to present a new witness against ex-senator De Lima in a drug case". News5 . TV5 Network Inc. Retrieved July 24, 2025. Earlier, the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 204 said it was ready to render judgment on May 12 after de Lima's counsel rested the case[.]
  24. Pinlac, Beatrice (May 11, 2023). "'Stand by me and for me,' Leila de Lima says as court decision looms". Inquirer.net . Inquirer Interactive, Inc. Retrieved July 24, 2025. [Leila] De Lima, a staunch critic of the Duterte administration, has been detained for more than six years despite having no criminal conviction.
  25. Torres-Tupas, Tetch (May 12, 2023). "Leila de Lima acquitted in 2nd drug case". Inquirer.net . Manila, Philippines: Inquirer Interactive, Inc. Retrieved July 24, 2025. However, in 2022, [Rafael] Ragos disowned his testimony, saying he was only coerced to pin de Lima for the supposed wrongdoing.
  26. Navallo, Mike (May 30, 2023). "DOJ prosecutors ask court to reconsider De Lima acquittal, reject Ragos' recantation". ABS-CBN News . Manila: ABS-CBN Corporation . Retrieved July 24, 2025.
  27. Boiser, Abby (July 7, 2023). "Another judge inhibits in last case of Leila de Lima". Inquirer.net . Inquirer Interactive, Inc. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  28. "Timeline: The ordeal of Leila de Lima". Inquirer.net . Manila, Philippines: Inquirer Interactive, Inc. November 14, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  29. Boiser, Abby (July 29, 2023). "Muntinlupa court upholds Leila de Lima's 2nd acquittal". Inquirer.net . Inquirer Interactive, Inc. Retrieved July 25, 2025. 'The Court finds no compelling reason to reconsider the acquittal,' [Abraham Joseph] Alcantara said in a five-page ruling dated July 6 and released only on Friday [July 28].
  30. Santos, Tina G. (September 13, 2023). "Solgen goes to CA to question De Lima acquittal". Inquirer.net . Inquirer Interactive, Inc. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  31. Torres-Tupas, Tetch (November 21, 2023). "7 more inmates recant testimonies vs Leila de Lima". Inquirer.net . Manila, Philippines: Inquirer Interactive, Inc. Retrieved July 25, 2025. On October 16, two inmates recanted their testimonies against de Lima, they are former police officers Rodolfo Magleo and Nonilo Arile.
  32. Laqui, Ian (December 21, 2023). "Ex-cop witness retracts testimony vs De Lima". Philstar.com . Manila, Philippines: Philstar Global Corp. Retrieved July 25, 2025. 'I planned to recant in early 2019 However, due to fearing for my life and the safety of my family and loved one, I lost the guts to do so,' [Jerry] Valeroso said in his letter.
  33. Loreto, Russel (June 25, 2024). "Vindication for De Lima as last drug case junked". Inquirer.net . Manila, Philippines: Inquirer Interactive, Inc. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  34. 1 2 Cabato, Luisa (August 29, 2024). "Leila de Lima acquittal sealed as Muntinlupa court denies MR". Inquirer.net . Manila, Philippines: Inquirer.net. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  35. Gorrospe, Kiara Ysabel (May 19, 2025). "FACT SHEET: What exactly did the Court of Appeals say about De Lima's case?". Vera Files . Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  36. 1 2 Bautista, Jane; Torres-Tupas, Tetch (July 24, 2025). "Prosecutors withdraw appeal of De Lima's acquittal in drug case". Inquirer.net . Manila, Philippines: Inquirer Interactive, Inc. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
  37. Bautista, Jane (July 24, 2025). "Ex-SC spox urges consequences for 'offensive' plea vs de Lima's acquittal". Inquirer.net . Manila, Philippines: Inquirer Interactive, Inc. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
  38. Bautista, Jane (July 25, 2025). "Prosecutors' 'rogue' acts in de Lima case hit". Inquirer.net . Manila, Philippines: Inquirer Interactive, Inc. Retrieved July 25, 2025.