CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - Some 45 former sacked quarrymen are now in hot water after warrants of arrests were released in relation to the libel case filed by Governor Eddie Panlilio and Provincial Administrator Vivian Dabu in 2008.
In criminal case no. 16949, Presiding Judge Mary Anne P. Padron-Rivera ordered the issuance of warrants of arrests against quarrymen of the Biyaya A Luluguran at Sisikapan (Balas), the self-acclaimed original "Balas Boys" Arnold Atienza, Michael Joseph Castaneda, Rodel Cunanan, Wilson Cunanan, Agustin De Leon, Danilo Dimaun, Eduardo, Gonzales, Jeffrey Gonzales, Jose Gonzales Jr., Eric Gopez, Ernie Gopez, Eduardo Lalusin, Francis Layug, Elmer Lising, Romeo Lorenzo, Omar Macanas, Arnel Macaspac, Reynante Manalili, Jonathan Manansala, Raymon Manlulu, Mario Mendoza, Nardy Mendoza, Danilo Padilla, Karol Paras, John Andrew Pare, Archie Patawaran, Allan Patiu, Raymond Quiambao, Nante Quito, Jaime Ramos, Mario Rodriguez, Christian Roque, Ruben Santos, Labor Serrano, Ace Sison, Jayson Sison, Mat Sison, Edwin yabut, Michael Quiambao, Alex Pineda, Eduardo De Leon, Christopher Ramil Ocampo, and Filologo Rodriguez.
Arrest warrants were also issued against former employees Roperlee Syquia and Panlilio's former chief-of-staff Archimedes "Archie" Reyes.
Panlilio and Dabu filed the separate cases of libel, grave slander and oral defamation, alarms and scandals, and unjust vexation against the former Capitol employees before the Provincial Prosecutor's Office in October 6, 2008.
In a copy of Panlilio's complaint, he said that the protesters did not dwell on the issues that may have led them to stage such a rally and call for Dabu's resignation.
It could be remembered that former Capitol and Balas employees staged rallies and pickets in July of 2008 protesting their alleged summary dismissal and possible anomalies and irregularities in the quarry collection under the Panlilio administration.
Failed negotiations and mediation to bring the protesters and Panlilio together by civil society groups led the protesters to renew their calls.
"Instead, they (protesters) focused on maligning my personality and reputation, aimed to demoralize me and eventually, to succumb and resign to their pleasure of making her resign...In my decision to maintain Attorney Dabu in her position as Provincial Administrator, the rallyists have resorted to defaming me as well to pressure me to accede to their clamor for Attorney Dabu's resignation; they are now likewise calling for my resignation," Panlilio said.
Asked to comment on the recent development, Panlilio told Sun.Star Pampanga that he would rather let the case take its due course.
Dabu on the other hand was "unavailable" for interviews according to her staff.
Surprised but not shaken
The Balas Boys, in a press conference in Angeles City, expressed their surprise over the recent development.
Reyes told Sun.Star Pampanga that he was surprised that the case progressed despite not having received any summons from the Prosecutor's Office.
"We do not know if we can afford the bail. Most of the former Balas employees are without jobs. I personally feel disappointed since we were the only ones sued for the rally, we had supporters like politicians and businessmen but it is only small people like us who were sued," Reyes said.
In a formal statement of the group, they decried what they called as an effort of the Panlilio administration to keep their mouths shut on the anomalies happening in the quarry collection here.
They said that despite their hard work in the quarry collection and Panlilio's failure to abide by the agreement set by the civil society before the onset of protests, the priest-turned-governor still had "no heart" and sued them for libel.
"We have been receiving reports that a lot of anomalies have been happening in the quarry collection from quarry operators and workers. We have no concrete basis but we have been receiving consistent reports," the group said.
"Is this a way to keep our silence in case an investigation in the quarry collection is initiated by the new administration? There have been reports that we might be re-hired as Balas workers, is this a way of preventing our return to the Capitol?" the group added.
De Leon, Ocampo and Rodriguez unanimously said they will find a way to post bail if ever they are arrested, and said they would fight it ought legally to prove their point.
The sacked quarrymen are known here as the longest protesters to go up against Panlilio and Dabu, staying in the picket line at Arnedo Park for more than 265 days, battling it out with the administration for their rights and with nature, refusing to fall sick or weary until a typhoon finally made them pull out of their quarters.
The protesters, who were primarily responsible for pumping in P230 million in quarry collections that made the Capitol a Galing Pook Awardee last year, also pushed for the declaration of Arnedo as a freedom park, which the Provincial Board enacted, and which was subsequently thrashed by Panlilio.
The group said that they are now seeking legal help. But most are worrying that they would not be able to shoulder the burden of expenses of the possible taxing trial ahead, but vowed to weather it out again "for the truth to come out."
"It seems they are exacting vengeance for their defeat in the polls. Panlilio really has no heart," Rodriguez said.
ADCL support
The Balas Boys found an ally in Advocacy for the Development of Central Luzon (ADCL) Chairman Rene Romero, who expressed his support for the group.
Romero is urging well-meaning Kapampangans to extend their help to the former Balas employees.
"I am surprised of the recent development. The Provincial Government should re-assess its stand on the matter. The Balas boys should be rewarded for their achievements in the quarry collection and they do not deserve such a treatment. The Provincial Government should reconsider its move," Romero said.
Romero is calling on the people who helped the Balas Boys in their campaigns during their past protests to support the group as a possible long trial looms.
Reinvestigation, reduction of bail
At the height of their eventual arrest, some lawyers here who requested anonymity opined that the Balas Boys and other respondents should file motions for reduction of bail and for reinvestigation.
Reyes declared they were not accorded of their fundamental rights under the law as mandated by the Constitution as they have not received copy of the information filed against them.
"We have not received summons in our respective houses that is why we were surprised of this development. I have learned about the libel charges against us in the newspaper," Reyes said.
On the basis of denial of due process, the Balas Boys claimed there is reasonable ground to ask for reinvestigation.
Each of the sacked quarrymen were slapped P10,000 bail each for two counts, or P20,000 individually for their temporary liberty.
Since there are 45 respondents for two counts of libel suit, it would take them at least P900,000 for their bail requirement. "This is excessive considering our status in life," the Balas Boys said.
"Pagkatapos namin siyang tinulungan, sinira pa niya kami, ito pa ang ginawa niya sa amin, pinangkuan kami ni Panlilio ng reinstatement pero hindi naman natupad," De Leon lamented. (Ian Ocampo Flora and Herbert Mapiles with reports from Jovi T. De Leon)