Raul to inhibit self from review of ruling

MANILA, Philippines - Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Raul Gonzalez vowed yesterday to inhibit himself from the Office of the President’s review of the dismissal of a criminal complaint filed against a suspected shabu laboratory financier in Naguilian, La Union.

Interviewed over radio dzXL, Gonzalez defended the resolution he issued as justice secretary dismissing the criminal complaint against Joselito Artuz, who was tagged by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency as the financier of a drug laboratory in Naguilian.

Gonzalez explained that a lot of human rights violations were committed in the case.

He said that he decided to withdraw the complaint because of the violations plus the complainant or witness had withdrawn from the case.

Gonzalez said that he had no objection to the review by the Office of the President since this is mandated under the law.

Administrative Order No. 253 issued by President Arroyo last January called for an automatic review by the Office of the President of all illegal drugs-related cases dismissed by the Secretary of Justice.

Now that Gonzalez is the chief presidential legal counsel, the case could possibly go through his office as part of the review by the OP.

Gonzalez said that he would not handle the case in view of the fact that it was his resolution that is being reviewed.

Meanwhile, Gonzalez clarified that he was not advised about the mass oath-taking ceremony held at Malacañang the other day.