WOULD you believe the solicitor general used procedural defects of the petitioners against the declaration of martial law in Mindanao to seek the petition’s rejection?
But no reason not to, since courts often use technical flaws to assail a complaint.
It may be argued though that the case and its issues are so important the SC may ignore such flaws as an expired tax receipt of one lawyer or an incomplete MCLE of another lawyer.
Still, the state lawyers, just like other lawyers locked in legal battle, have to use all methods available.
Would the SC skirt the huge issue on the constitutionality of the Mindanao martial law by citing the “petty” mistakes?
Prove she’s alive
Detained Niño Boniel, the Bohol provincial board member accused of killing his wife Gisela and dumping her body into the sea, would’ve the perfect defense to the charge of parricide: that she’s alive.
But to a number of police witnesses, including two or three who actually saw the killing and dumping, as well as those who were present when she was detained in a resort, she’s already dead.
The state can prove the “body of the crime” even if her corpse wouldn’t be recovered. Her case can’t be compared to that of shabu possession after the “perp” flushes the illegal substance into the toilet. There’s enough direct and corroborative testimony to convict Mayor Gisela’s killers, unless those witnesses would flip or disappear.
Nobleza’s penalty
Ma. Cristina Nobleza, the police major linked to the bandits who “raided” Bohol in April, will just be dismissed. She’ll lose job and benefits and won’t ever work in government again but she won’t be jailed.
They keep repeating the cliche “sleeping with the enemy” but what’s its equivalent in the police manual or the penal code that will put her behind bars?
TIP US OFF. TELL US ABOUT IT.
[paseares@gmail.com]