Here’s to you gma, atienza and pnp
Last Wednesday, my officemates were a little bit alarmed when a formal-looking document arrived bearing my name as addressee. In these troubled times, it could mean anything.
The document came from Office of the City Prosecutor of Manila. This is regarding the criminal case filed against me and a host of others for alleged violation of BP 880, direct assault against police officers, and causing a traffic jam in connection with the violent dispersal of the rally of 21 October 2005. Named as respondents to the case were Ka Satur, Ka Bel, Teddy Casiño, Liza Masa, Nato Reyes, Carol Araullo, Nat Santiago, Tonchi Tinio, Ka Paeng, Bunny Cambronero, Armand Albarillo, Obet De Castro, Tinay Palabay, Ronald Lumbao and myself. I believe I was impleaded because I used to be secretary general of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers. But I was at the said rally as a media person.
The Manila Police District alleged that we led the thousands towards Mendiola when the so-called permit issued was only for Liwasang Bonifacio. They also alleged that the rally was unruly and we struck at the police offices with poles and stones causing injury to some of them.
The document is remarkable considering it was penned by government prosecutors. It clearly argues several points that bear retelling.
First, that the KMP applied for a permit as early as October 4 and that it was deemed granted because hizzoner jose “vandolph” atienza and his lazy representatives failed to act on the application two days after it was submitted.
Second, that even if city hall issued an alleged permit on October 21, it does not cure the fact that vandolph had been inexcusably negligent. The mayor even had the gall to modify the application in his effort to deny the people Mendiola Bridge and protect gloria. He thus tried to impose prior restraint, showed bad faith against the people’s right to peaceably assemble and “gravely abused his discretion…”
Third, that we the respondents successfully argued the police failed to show proof any law was violated. In my case, the document said that I “was present in the rally as broadcaster of DZRJ-AM 810 khz.”
Fourth, that “At the time of the attack, the police were not acting in the performance of their official duties. Marchers were pushed backwards by policemen. Marchers held their line but scuffles took place resulting to injuries on both sides.”
The fiscals really had no choice but to believe us as we were only telling the truth. They ended by recommending “…that the charges against all the respondents be dismissed.”
The order was signed by Maria Gene Z. Julianda-Sarmiento, Jessica C. Junsay-Ong and Annabel Dollaga-Magabilin. It was approved for the City Prosecutor by Marlina M. Manuel.
Needless to say, I thank the three prosecutors for correctly interpreting the cited laws and our arguments as against the lies of the police and the mayor. In this case, not just the laws but justice prevailed.
And to you gma, atienza and the police, heto ang sa inyo, ‘tang-a_ _ nyo!
