By Carol Pagaduan-Araullo Streetwise | BusinessWorld Forces in the Philippine political landscape are gearing up for a major legal and political battle. Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her husband’s attempts to leave the country and escape the proverbial long arm of the law, ironically by utilizing a favorable Supreme Court order, were foiled by Justice…
Tags: leila de lima
My personal clash with DoJ on watchlist
By Satur C. Ocampo At Ground Level | The Philippine Star Like many others, I welcomed Justice Secretary Leila de Lima’s action on Gloria M. Arroyo’s request to be allowed to travel abroad for medical treatment, and appreciated her reasons for denying it. But I feel uneasy with the source of her authority to decide…
Rights groups demand general, unconditional and omnibus amnesty for all political prisoners
By RONALYN V. OLEA Bulatlat.com MANILA – Justice Secretary Leila de Lima pledged to study the cases of political prisoners in a dialogue with human rights groups today. Leaders of Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (Selda), Karapatan and other groups sought a dialogue with de Lima and presented a proposal for a…
Rights groups, Justice Secretary push for bill to criminalize enforced disappearance
By RONALYN V. OLEA Bulatlat.com MANILA — With the filing of charges against state security forces in relation to the enforced disappearances of University of the Philippines (UP) students Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan and the update on the case of another missing activist Jonas Burgos, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and human rights groups…
Family of Slain Botanist Disappointed in Aquino For His Silence on Killing

By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
“He has issued statements on matters like floods, the rising number of carnapping cases, environmental concerns, but he has yet to make a single comment on Leonard’s murder. Leonard has done much for the Philippines, but he was killed by soldiers. Why is President Aquino not saying anything?” said Bobby Austria, Co’s brother in-law.
Ex-COA Auditor Who Documented Corruption in Philippine Military Lauded

By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
“We applaud Ms. Heidi Mendoza’s courage and determination in daring to expose and condemn anomalous transactions within the military,” said Courage president Ferdinand Gaite.
Kin Challenge DOJ Findings Clearing Military in Co’s Death, Ask de Lima for Impartial Probe

By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
Lawyer says Co’s family was not a party to the DOJ-NBI panel investigation and that they did not have access to all the evidence the panel had. Neither did they get the opportunity to controvert the claims of the military denying responsibility for the killing.
Farmers Demand New DOJ Probe of Mendiola Massacre, SC Action on Luisita Case

By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
To the Supreme Court, they sent a letter addressed to Chief Justice Renato Corona appealing for the speedy resolution of the Hacienda Luisita case. To the Justice department, it was a letter to secretary Leila de Lima seeking the reopening of the 24-year-old Mendiola Massacre case.
Rights Group Asks Justice Secretary to Scrutinize Panel Findings on Botanist Slay (PR)
Press Release 21 January 2011 “How can two assistant state prosecutors and an NBI lawyer forming a three-man team of government investigators refute the facts just to stick to the military story that the NPA killed Leonard Co and his two companions and absolve complicity of government authorities in the crime?”, thus asked human rights…
Doctors, Lawyers Criticize Aquino for Refusing to Order the Release of Morong 43

By RONALYN V. OLEA
“It is unbelievable that Aquino cannot do anything [on the case of the Morong 43],” Jose V. Cabrera, member of the board of governors of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), said.
Justice Secretary, Journalists Agree that Ampatuan Massacre Trial Crucial in Addressing Impunity

By RONALYN V. OLEA
“The case of the Ampatuan massacre is not just a matter of prosecuting individuals. It also requires the neutralization of the whole machinery of violence and brutality that is fueled by power, political influence and wealth.” Justice Secretary Leila de Lima