Progressive groups question timing of revival of murder case against ex-solons

Leaders of left-leaning groups have underlined the coincidence of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s rise to House speakership and the release of the arrest orders against former representatives of the Makabayan bloc.

“Kami ay nagdududa talaga doon sa timing, niluklok si Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (GMA) doon sa speakership, eh timing na timing naman na nilabas ang desisyon na ito,” ACT Teachers party-list Representative France Castro said during a rally staged on Monday, outside the gates of Camp Crame.

On Friday, a warrant of arrest was released against former representatives Satur Ocampo and Teddy Casiño (Bayan Muna), Liza Maza (Gabriela), and Rafael Mariano (Anakpawis) for the alleged murder of Bayan Muna critics at Palayan, Nueva Ecija.

The warrant was issued by Judge Evelyn Turla of the Regional Trial Court Branch 40 of Palayan.  The case was filed 10 years ago during the term of Arroyo as president.

“‘Yan naman ‘yong kanyang (Arroyo’s) style […]  ‘Yong kanyang mga dissenters, ‘yong mga tumututol sa kanya ay talagang ginagawan ng gawa-gawang kaso,” Castro added.

According to Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) Secretary-General Renato Reyes, the cases against Arroyo’s staunchest critics when she was in power appears weird and unexpected.

“Noong 2006, nag-file ng mga gawa-gawang kaso, ‘yong iba napa-dismiss na […] ‘yong ibang gawa-gawang kaso sa probinsya na-dismiss na ‘yan.  Kaya lang ito, natira pa,” Reyes said.

“Nakakagulat nga kasi nga ang unang desisyon ng judge walang basehan ‘yong kasong ito.  Pero ngayon nabago na, after ten years, parang may batayan na,” he added.

Reyes claimed that while it is not yet proven if Arroyo has a hand in the revival of the case, the charges itself were steered by Arroyo.

“May kamay si GMA sa pagsasampa ng kaso because it happened during her administration.  ‘Yong ‘pag resurface inaaral pa namin kung bakit gano’n ang naging desisyon ng judge,” he added.   /vvp