Resolution of sedition case vs Robredo, 35 others ready

MANILA, Philippines — After almost six months since a sedition case was filed against Vice President Leni Robredo and 35 others, the Department of Justice National Prosecution Service (DOJ-NPS) has completed its investigation and is ready to release its resolution, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said yesterday.

“I have been informed that the resolution on the sedition case was quietly released last Friday,” Guevarra said.

The DOJ will issue a statement on the resolution today.

On July 18 last year, the Philippine National Police - Criminal Investigation and Detection Group - National Capital Region Field Unit filed sedition/inciting to sedition, cyber libel, libel, estafa and harboring a criminal/obstruction of justice against Robredo and 35 other officials and personalities believed to be critical of President Duterte.

There are unconfirmed reports that not all 36 respondents were recommended by the DOJ-NPS for indictment.

Witness/respondent Peter Joemel Advincula alias Bikoy, the self-confessed hooded man in the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” videos that were uploaded on YouTube, reportedly tagged Robredo as among those who took part in “Project Sodoma,” a plot to overthrow Duterte.

Criminal complaints were filed against Senators Leila de Lima and Risa Hontiveros, and former senators Antonio Trillanes IV and Paolo Benigno Aquino IV.

Included in the list of respondents were Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines vice president and Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, former CBCP president Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco, retired Novaliches Bishop Teodoro Bacani Jr., former education secretary Armin Luistro, Ateneo professor Jesuit priest Albert Alejo, running priest Ruben Reyes and Fr. Flaviano Villanueva.

Also named respondents were “Otso Diretso” senatorial candidates: former Quezon representative Erin Tanada, former Magdalo representative Gary Alejano, human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, former solicitor general Florin Hilbay, elections lawyer Romulo Macalintal and Samira Gutoc.

Officials of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, namely, incumbent president Domingo Egon Cayosa and former president Abdiel Dan Elijah Fajardo as well as former Supreme Court spokesman and Free Legal Assistance Group member Theodore Te were mentioned as respondents. Also in the list is former senior superintendent Eduardo Acierto.

In the complaint, Advincula claimed that the respondents, particularly Trillanes and Alejano, used him to act as “Bikoy” in a video presentation and spread lies about Duterte, members of his family and some close friends.

The plot to oust Duterte was allegedly committed at the Jesuit Communication Building of the Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, Quezon City from February to May last year.