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Thursday, November 10, 2005
Palace threatens 'people's court' with sedition
MANILA -- Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Wednesday that organizers and members of the so-called "people's court" may be held liable for inciting to sedition for holding a mock trial of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Ermita said under Article 142 of the Revised Penal Code, convenors and members of the Citizens Congress for Truth and Accountability (CCTA) led by former Vice President Teofisto Guingona may be held liable for inciting to sedition. Inciting to sedition is punishable by a six-month prison term under the penal code.
He said the Department of Justice (DOJ) is now studying the actions taken by the CCTA to determine the violations it has committed.
"From the definition, I supposed what the law says is that the authority being referred to in this particular case is the President, she is the lawful authority, so it depends on the further proceedings in people's court," he said.
Ermita said the Revised Penal Code states that inciting to sedition maybe committed through the following: "one, inciting others to accomplish any acts constituting sedition by means of speeches, proclamations, writing etc., paraphernalia; two, uttering seditious words which tend to disturb public peace."
He said the third definition, stating that activities like writing, publishing or circulating of information against the government or an official that tends to disturb or distract the official from the execution of his functions, lead people to go against any lawful authority, or disturb the peace and safety of community and of the government, closely relates to the activities of the CCTA.
Ermita also defended Environment Secretary and Arroyo political spokesman Michael Defensor for sending his lawyer to observe the proceedings Tuesday. He said Defensor probably just want to know how the proceeding is undertaken and the developments in the activities of the CCTA.
He reiterated that it does not necessarily mean that they are dignifying the actions of CCTA, which Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye earlier said was "illegal and baseless."
Ermita added it is normal to see how things are going at the moment, adding that even the media are interested but "depending on how things develop, if you find the thing interesting you continue to cover but if you think that it's a mockery, I supposed media would know how to treat that."
He said he does not want to be accused of threatening to charge the organizers and members of the CCTA, but "the law applies to everybody."
Guingona and other opposition leaders convened the people's court to air charges of election fraud, corruption, and alleged human rights abuses against Arroyo. (JMR/Sunnex)
(November 10, 2005 issue)
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