WMC News & Features

Further Update on Philippines

A regional court in the Philippines threw out government charges of rebellion against Congresswoman Liza Maza of the Gabriela Women's Party and her co-accused. Judge Jenny Lind Delorino refused to issue warrants of arrests for the group of 48 legislators and leaders of mass organizations, saying that the complaint--presented as an amendment to charges against two men previously arrested--was, in fact, new information. Charges against the two men, Congressman Crispin Beltran of the Anakpawis (Toiling Masses) Party and First Lieutenant Lawrence San Juan, remain in place.

Earlier, the Supreme Court ruled that while President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's declaration of a state of national emergency was constitutional, an order that empowered the police and military to conduct warrantless arrests, raids, closures and seizures of property, including media outlets, was unconstitutional. The ruling was written by Associate Justice Angelina Sandoval Gutierrez.

Congresswoman Maza and her four legislative colleagues in the group targeted by the state prosecutors have chosen to remain under Congressional protective custody as threats of arrests, with or without warrants, persist. The Department of Justice announced it would appeal the decision even as it was preparing other charges against Maza and the others.

Philippine Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez announced he would file administrative charges with the Supreme Court against Judge Delormino for ruling against the government on the rebellion charges; and against Judge Benjamin Pozon for refusing to accept the Department of Justice's recommendation that rape charges against three of four US Marines be downgraded to "accomplice to rape."



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