Petition to review hazing case vs UST Law dean junked

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has dismissed a petition to review the dropping of Nilo Divina, University of Santo Tomas Civil Law dean, from the charge sheet over the alleged hazing death of UST law freshman Horacio “Atio” Castillo III.

In a text message, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said on Wednesday the petition for review filed by Castillo’s parents on April 19 was “dismissed for late filing.”

In March, the DOJ charged 10 Aegis Juris fraternity members with violating the antihazing law and another member for perjury and obstruction of justice in a Manila court.

However, it cleared 24 other fraternity members, including Divina, for lack of evidence.

In a resolution dated July 5, the DOJ explained it was “constrained to dismiss appellants’ petition by reason that their appeal was clearly out of time.”

The 11 fraternity members who are detained at the Manila City Jail are set to be arraigned in court on July 24. —Dona Z. Pazzibugan