Palace respects warrant of arrest vs. former party-list lawmakers

FILE: Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announces during a press briefing in Malacañang on July 19, 2018 that the Landbank of the Philippines, the Department of Agrarian Reform, and the Department of Agriculture have launched the Accessible and Sustainable Lending Program for Small Farmers. The program aims to increase the income of small farmers, especially the Agrarian Reform beneficiaries, by providing them with financial assistance for their agricultural needs at a low interest rate of 6% per annum. (TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)

MANILA — Malacañang on Friday said it will continue to respect the independence of the courts in the country.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made this reaction following the warrant of arrest issued against former Representatives Satur Ocampo and Teddy Casino of Bayan Muna, Rafael Mariano of Anakpawis and Liza Maza of Gabriela.

“The Palace will continue to respect the independence of our courts.

We should, therefore, let the legal process run its course,” Roque said in a press statement.

Maza is the incumbent chairperson of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) while Mariano was a former secretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).

President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Mariano, also known as “Ka Paeng”, as his first DAR secretary after his election in 2016 but the Commission on Appointment (CA) rejected his appointment on Sept. 6, 2017.

“The matter is still with the Regional Trial Court,” said Roque, also a former Kabalikat ng Mamamayan party-list representative.

Judge Evelyn Turla of Palayan, Nueva Ecija’s RTC Branch 40 reportedly issued the warrant of arrest based on the case filed in 2004 during the time of former president and now House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.