Maza may return to work after dismissal of murder raps: Palace

Maza, former Gabriela Women’s party representative, along with former Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano and former Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Satur Ocampo and Teddy Casiño, were earlier charged with a murder complaint in 2006. (File photo: MARO-PCO)

MANILA — National Anti-Poverty Commissioner (NAPC) Liza Maza can go back to work following the decision of the Nueva Ecija Regional Trial Court to dismiss the murder cases against her and three other former members of the House of Representatives (HoR), Malacañang said Tuesday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, in a statement, said the Palace was “happy” that she could resume her work, noting that the warrant of arrest issued against her has been voided.

“That proves that the legal system is working. We’re happy that Secretary Liza Maza can come back to work,” Roque said in a Palace briefing.

Roque, however, could not confirm if Maza has already started reporting work.

“Hindi ko po alam (I don’t know). But now that she has no outstanding warrant of arrest, I suppose she can go back to work,” he added.

Maza, former Gabriela Women’s party representative, along with former Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano and former Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Satur Ocampo and Teddy Casiño, were earlier charged with a murder complaint in 2006.

Late last month, Roque called on Maza to turn herself in if she is innocent.

”So, if they are innocent, then they should in fact surrender, recognize the jurisdiction of the court and prove their innocence in court. That is what we expect from everyone,” Roque said.

Roque emphasized the “very critical” role of the NAPC to the fight against poverty stressing the government “cannot have a secretary who is a fugitive from the law.

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Attached to the Office of the President, NAPC serves as the coordinating and advisory body tasked to undertake policy advocacy, oversee anti-poverty efforts, and ensure inclusive people’s participation in governance and nationalist development.