Sereno: Don’t blame judiciary for Marcelino’s release

CHIEF Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno. RAFFY LERMA/INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Do not blame the judiciary for the release of a former intelligence officer arrested in Manila where over P380 million worth of drugs were confiscated, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno said on Thursday.

The Chief Justice was referring to the case of Marine Lieutenant Colonel Ferdinand Marcelino who was allowed to post bail by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court while his case, violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, is pending before the Department of Justice (DOJ).

READ: QC court allows ex-PDEA officer Marcelino to post bail

“The judiciary should not be blamed when no case was ever filed against him by the prosecutors. Thus, our judge had no choice but to release him as there was no legal basis to continue holding him in jail,” Sereno said.

Last June 1, QCRTC Judge Lyn Ebora-Cacha allowed Marcelino to post P1-million bail.

The court said it “finds no strong evidence against Lt. Col. Marcelino…”

The DOJ  dismissed the case against Marcelino and his Chinese companion Yan Yi Shou 27 days later. RAM/rga

READ: Ex ‘drug-buster’ Marcelino walks free after 4 months in jail