Monday, May 19, 2008 Ledesma: Where is Adonis? By Jun Ledesma Sunbursts
BURIED in the magma of political bickering and human rights sloganeering is the case of Alexander Adonis, a broadcast journalist sentenced to prison for a crime of libel.
I do not know much about Adonis except that I heard him once reading an item from a national tabloid about "The Burlesk King". I need not go into details about this scandal for nary a Davaoweno haven't heard about this steaming item.
I remember that similar libel suit were leveled against several other journalists from other provinces and cities on the same issue but they were all dismissed.
But that is not the principal issue here. Last December 11, 2007 the Board of Pardons and Parole issued an order for the release on parole of seven inmates from all over the country. Adonis was one of the seven. He was released for good conduct, for having no other criminal record on file and for being sick.
This directive was unknown to many, and obviously, even to the lawyers of the National Press Club, who in the intervening period came to the aid of Adonis.
In this age of supersonic jets and broadband technology, it is surprisingly disgusting to know that the important document which could have meant freedom from the cold confines of prison and debilitating health of inmate Adonis, traveled at an extremely slow pace.
The legendary turtle could have delivered the release order faster. The Parole and Probation Administrative Office received the DOP last February 01 and it reached The Parole and Probation Office of Davao City on February 19, 2008.
So how come inmate Adonis has not been released and where is Adonis?
The following is the explanation of PP02 Joyce Rendon, the point officer in-charge of Adonis:
Rendon said that their office expected Adonis to report to the Probation Office within 45 days when they received the DOP.
Since Adonis failed to show up they looked for him and discovered that he was still in jail.
Rendon is not aware whether Dapecol or Adonis received a copy of the DOP.
Rendon also told me that she was not aware that Adonis has other pending case so last May 07 she requested for a copy of the Court Record against Adonis and was furnished only last May 15, 2008.
Rendon explained that whether or not Adonis was furnished a copy of the DOP it appeared that he has another pending case.
The case it turned out was another libel case filed by Jeanette Lomanta Leuterio which was pending before RTC Branch 14.
The DOP states that, "the subject prisoner shall be released from confinement unless detained for any other cause by virtue of a legal process".
I am not a lawyer so I have nothing much to contribute to this issue. Besides I am constrained from commenting on the merits or demerits of the case especially that which is still pending.
What surprised me however is why were the two complaints not consolidated? Adonis, it appears, was not given legal assistance and I think that in the interest of justice his case needs a re-investigation and retrial.
It will be for the interest of all litigants even as Adonis had and is still being incarcerated. If this cannot be granted, I wish that Branch 14 could fast track the hearing of the case pending before the Court.
