After almost seven years in custody over allegations associated with the harsh anti-drug campaign of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, former senator Leila de Lima, a prominent critic, was granted bail on Monday. She faces accusations of receiving drug funds, a case she asserts is politically driven.

Since Duterte's term ended, several witnesses have retracted their testimonies, and considerable international pressure has advocated for her release.

Despite facing an International Criminal Court investigation for suspected crimes against humanity, related to the summary execution of about 7,000 suspected drug dealers during the six-year campaign, Leila de Lima has been granted bail.

The European Union's ambassador to the Philippines, Luc Veron, expressed his satisfaction at the news of her impending release.

"A significant step for #RuleOfLaw in the Philippines. A positive turn in the pursuit of justice! I hope that resolution of the remaining charges will be accelerated," Mr Veron said on X, formerly Twitter.

Mr Duterte's successor, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, has also scaled back the anti-drug campaign since taking over last June.

Ms De Lima served five years of her six-year term as senator from behind bars. She also lost her bid for re-election in 2022.

She was Mr. Duterte's most persistent critic during his 28-year tenure as mayor of the southern Philippine city of Davao, up to his election as president in 2016. She was chairperson of the Philippines' Commission on Human Rights and later justice minister when Mr Duterte was mayor.

As president, Rodrigo Duterte replicated his drug war in Davao on a national scale - police conducted door-to-door searches, and suspects were shot for allegedly resisting arrest. Several investigations later uncovered police abuses.

Aside from the criminal proceedings, Mr Duterte's allies in the House of Representatives held marathon televised hearings on the allegations against Ms De Lima.

They also uncovered embarrassing details about her affair with her driver, who initially said that he delivered bribe money to Ms De Lima but later withdrew his statement.

Thank God she was eventually granted bail

Thank God she was eventually granted bail