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Wednesday, February 16, 2005
'Shame parade' lawyer takes on JCF cases
CONTROVERSIAL Jesus Christ Followers (JCF) school officials now have a bonafide lawyer to handle the four cases still lodged against them in court.
Lawyer James K. Judith said one case filed with a municipal trial court had already been dismissed for lack of jurisdiction while four others had yet to be resolved.
The lawyer said he had been sorting out the charges only Tuesday and will seek clarification regarding the status of his clients.
"I want to clarify from city police director Senior Superintendent Honorio Cervantes whether the JCF school officials are in protective or preventive custody," he told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.
He explained that under protective custody those affected are detained once the court determines they are a danger to themselves or the community involved.
Judith said he had yet to clarify whether habeas corpus was served to the school prior to the bloody raid that occurred at the school compound in Lerios street, Barangay Carmen this city.
"Among the cases that have yet to be resolved is the one wherein they allegedly held a rally at the DepEd (Department of Education) office without any permit," he said.
This isn't the first time that Judith had figured in a controversial case. Last year the lawyer was one of those who defended the "shame parade" participants ordered to walk around Cagayan de Oro by City Hall officials.
During court proceedings the JCF administrators usually refuse legal aid and insist on defending themselves.
And even with the criminal cases lodged against them the DepEd-10 office said the school can still be granted a permit to operate since the officials had yet to be convicted of the charges against them.
Regional DepEd-10 Director Jesus Taberdo confirmed this saying the group's application is still pending at the Schools Division Superintendent's office.
Still he voiced his doubts on whether the school can comply with their guidelines and added that JCF students should undergo a validating test to determine their academic competence. (SC)
(February 16, 2005 issue)
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