JANUARY 21, 2016
Ex-INC minister Lowell Menorca II
Photo provided by Jinky Menorca
The Court of Appeals 7th Division has ordered the police officer who appeared on behalf of the Manila Police District (MPD) Station 5 on January 20 this year to show cause why he should not be cited in contempt of court for misrepresentation.
Police Superintendent Thomas Valmonte, last Jan. 20 appeared before the appeals court and said they cannot bring former Minister Lowell Menorca to court unless there was a court order.
Menorca was arrested following the arrest order for libel issued by the Marawi court.
“No such officer was assigned to Station 5. He [Valmonte] should show cause why he shouldn’t be cited in contempt for making false representations,” Associate Justice Magdangal De Leon, chairman of the Court of Appeals 7th Division said.
Menorca’s counsel, Atty. Trixie Angeles said Valmonte volunteered to appear before the Court of Appeals last Jan. 20.
“Station 5 was aware that the hearing was scheduled that day. A few minutes before 1, Valmonte called and said ‘I changed my mind, [Menorca] is under arrest, order of the court is needed.’ I said you explain that. He said ‘I will go’,” Angeles said.
Justice De Leon said the Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief will also be given a copy of the show cause order. TVJ
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