Senate President Pro Tempore Franklin Drilon on Thursday appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte to let due process take its course in connection with the murder charges filed against cops involved in the death of Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa.
In an interview with reporters, Drilon said Duterte will only have a say on the matter if and when he decides to pardon the policemen.
“We therefore appeal to the President, being a former prosecutor, to allow the process to proceed. Ibig sabihin, hayaan mo na ang piskal na suriin ang ebidesnyang ihaharap ng NBI (National Bureau of Investigation),” Duterte said.
Drilon said the decision would then still be appealable before the justice secretary, and when the President is not satisfied with the final finding, he can always pardon the accused.
“That is the process. But at this stage, I would appeal to the President to let the process proceed,” he said.
Drilon pointed out that even Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre has expressed before the Senate that Espinosa’s death was premeditated.
“Hindi ko malaman ano gagawin ni Secretary Aguirre dahil sinabi niya na premeditated ang pagpatay kay Mayor Espinosa. I would want to seek a clarification,” the senator said.
Malacañang had clarified that Duterte’s statement that he will not allow the cops involved in Espinosa’s death to go to jail does not mean that he will interfere with due process.
"The recent pronouncements of the President pertaining to the PNP, standing by his men, are critical to maintaining their high morale, with the end in view of succeeding in the anti-drug campaign," presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement.
"It should not be misinterpreted to mean that the President will intervene in investigations or any legal proceedings in order to exculpate erring cops," Abella added.
The NBI has said that Espinosa’s death was a result of a rubout by several Leyte police officers.
Complaints for murder, robbery, malicious procurement of search warrant, perjury and planting of evidence were filed before the Department of Justice on December 2 against 25 people, including Supt. Marvin Marcos, former CIDG Eastern Visayas director, and other members of the raiding team.
In an interview with reporters, Drilon said Duterte will only have a say on the matter if and when he decides to pardon the policemen.
“We therefore appeal to the President, being a former prosecutor, to allow the process to proceed. Ibig sabihin, hayaan mo na ang piskal na suriin ang ebidesnyang ihaharap ng NBI (National Bureau of Investigation),” Duterte said.
Drilon said the decision would then still be appealable before the justice secretary, and when the President is not satisfied with the final finding, he can always pardon the accused.
“That is the process. But at this stage, I would appeal to the President to let the process proceed,” he said.
Drilon pointed out that even Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre has expressed before the Senate that Espinosa’s death was premeditated.
“Hindi ko malaman ano gagawin ni Secretary Aguirre dahil sinabi niya na premeditated ang pagpatay kay Mayor Espinosa. I would want to seek a clarification,” the senator said.
Malacañang had clarified that Duterte’s statement that he will not allow the cops involved in Espinosa’s death to go to jail does not mean that he will interfere with due process.
"The recent pronouncements of the President pertaining to the PNP, standing by his men, are critical to maintaining their high morale, with the end in view of succeeding in the anti-drug campaign," presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement.
"It should not be misinterpreted to mean that the President will intervene in investigations or any legal proceedings in order to exculpate erring cops," Abella added.
The NBI has said that Espinosa’s death was a result of a rubout by several Leyte police officers.
Complaints for murder, robbery, malicious procurement of search warrant, perjury and planting of evidence were filed before the Department of Justice on December 2 against 25 people, including Supt. Marvin Marcos, former CIDG Eastern Visayas director, and other members of the raiding team.
Source: gmanetwork
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