Respect CA on detained Ilocos execs, House told

MANILA, Philippines - The House of Representatives has been asked to respect the order of the Court of Appeals (CA) in the case involving six detained officials of Ilocos Norte.

The CA asserted its jurisdiction over the petition for the writ of habeas corpus filed by the officials during a hearing last week, their lawyer Butch Catubay said yesterday.

The CA justices said their jurisdiction on the petition of the six officials is “concurrent with the Supreme Court (SC) and regional trial courts when it comes to habeas corpus cases.”

In its ruling, the fourth division of the appellate court said House sergeant-at-arms Roland Detabali should explain why he should not be cited in contempt for disobeying its order to present the detained officials.

Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Vicentito Lazo supported the plea of the six officials.

“It is not a question of powers and jurisdiction between the CA and SC for it is a habeas corpus case. Under existing laws, the CA has jurisdiction over said cases,” Lazo said. “We must follow the rule of law.”

The CA is expected to report to the clerk of court today on the incidents when they were blocked from entering the House to serve the order for the release of the detained officials. 

Provincial treasurer Josephine Calajate, accountant Edna Battulayan, budget officer Evangeline Tabulog, planning office head Pedro Agcaoili as well as Genedine Jambaro and Encarnacion Gaor of the provincial treasurer’s office have been detained since May 29. The House committee on good government and public accountability, which is investigating the alleged misuse of P66.45 million in tobacco funds to buy motor vehicles, cited them in contempt.   

Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas said they would continue to hold the officials “until they stop their contemptuous act of giving evasive answers, tantamount to refusal to answer.” – With Artemio Dumlao