Hospital arrest is ‘mockery of our justice system’—de Lima

PNP-PIO PHOTOS

JUSTICE Secretary Leila de Lima has had enough of the “hospital arrest” that is being abused by some affluent inmates.

“Enough of that because nakakahiya po ang justice system natin kung ganun. It [hospital arrest] is a mockery of our justice system,” de Lima said following reports that former governor Palawan Governor Joel and brother, former Coron mayor Mario Reyes, are planning to seek hospital detention.

READ: DOJ will fight bid to ‘derail,’ ‘delay’ Reyeses’ arraignment on Friday

The Reyes brothers are accused of killing environmentalist and broadcaster Dr. Gerry Ortega in 2011.

They were arrested in Phuket, Thailand last week for violating immigration laws.

After the extradition proceedings, the two were escorted back to Manila early Friday morning and flown to Palawan in the afternoon.

The Reyes brothers are currently detained at the Puerto Princesa City Jail in an ordinary cell with wooden bed and common toilet.

READ: Joel Reyes: We were not arrested, we surrendered

De Lima said they will “vigorously” oppose any move by the brothers to grant them hospital detention.

“We will vigorously oppose such move because first of all, there is no basis for that and second, inaabuso na yan. Tama na dapat. Wala na dapat ganyan. Daming mga prisoners na may health problems, ordinary prisoners… hindi naman sila pinagbibigyan. Yung mga privileged few lang napagbibigyan ng ganyan,” de Lima said. Tetch Torres-Tupas/AC