Manila court stops Palace, DoJ from investigating dismissed NBI chief

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and National Bureau of Investigation Director Magtanggol Gatdula. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The Manila regional trial court issued a 72-hour temporary restraining order stopping Malacanang and the Department of Justice from investigating the alleged involvement of dismissed National Bureau of Investigation Director Magtanggol Gatdula in the abduction of Japanese national Noriyo Ohara and extortion.

Manila RTC Executive Judge Marino Dela Cruz issued the TRO citing Rule 58 Section 5 (2) of the Rules of Court.

“The Rules of Court gives this office the discretionary authority to consider the application for the issuance ex parte of a temporary restraining order effective for a period of 72 hours from the time of issuance if the matter is of extreme urgency and the applicant with suffer grave injustice and irreparable injury,” the court said in its three-page order.

Gatdula filed an urgent petition for certiorari and prohibition before the Manila Court after he was dismissed as NBI head and recommended for preliminary investigation for alleged kidnapping and serious illegal detention.

The case was raffled to Manila RTC Judge Felixberto Olalia. A hearing will be conducted on Monday, January 30.