Manila, July 23 -- State prosecutors will withdraw the motion for reconsideration (MR) they earlier filed asking the Muntinlupa court to take a second look at the acquittal of Makabayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima in a drug- related charge, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Wednesday.

In a message to reporters, Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon confirmed that prosecutors will withdraw the appeal.

"It should not have been filed in the first place," Fadullon said, citing that pursuing the MR would be a case of "double jeopardy."

He added that the DOJ will "take one step at a time" over de Lima's call to sanction prosecutors who filed the appeal questioning her acquittal.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier de...