THE camp of former National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Magtanggol Gatdula yesterday accused the Department of Justice of disregarding the temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the Manila Regional Trial Court in connection with the kidnapping rap being hurled against the ex-NBI chief.
Gatdula’s lawyer Abraham Espejo said the DOJ never gave Gatdula the chance to defend himself from accusations that he was involved in the abduction of Japanese national Noriyo Ohara.
The lawyer noted that the DOJ still charged Gatdula the other day despite the TRO issued by the court. Prosecutor General Claro Arellano formed a panel to conduct a preliminary investigation against Gatdula.
Espejo said they will continue fighting for Gatdula’s rights and that they are bent on proving that the former NBI chief is innocent of the charges and his removal from office is ill-motivated.
Gatdula appeared yesterday at the hearing held at the sala of Branch 8 Judge Felixberto Olalia, Jr. in connection with his petition for a preliminary injunction seeking to stop the DOJ from using evidence which he says was illegally-sourced.
Gatdula alleged he was surprised by the line of questioning by the DOJ panel when he went there on a mere “invitation” supposedly to shed light on the kidnapping charges against his men.
The former NBI chief said he was not apprised of his rights and had no idea that his statements will be used against him.The next hearing will be on March 19.
Published : Thursday May 24, 2012 | Category : National | Views : 16
AN Islamic-friendly and culturally-sensitive curriculum for Muslim learners will be implemented in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao this June. This was apart from the effort to continue to allot resources to further train Muslim teachers. The curriculum was launched recently in Lamitan City, Basilan. The event was attended by... Read more
Published : Thursday May 24, 2012 | Category : National | Views : 15
By : Jun Pisco
ARREST warrants have been issued against Globe Asiatique (GA) owner Delfin Lee and his co-accused after a judge found probable cause for the syndicated estafa case filed against them, Vice President Jejomar C. Binay said yesterday. Binay, chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, said Judge Amifaith Fider-Reyes... Read more
Published : Thursday May 24, 2012 | Category : National | Views : 16
By : Joel dela Torre
THE local garlic industry has been affected by the importation of the product from China, the Department of Agriculture said. According to Bureau of Plant Industry director Clarito Baron, garlic growers here are feeling the heat because of the low price of Chinas exports. “Isa yan sa dahilan... Read more
Published : Thursday May 24, 2012 | Category : National | Views : 15
By : Jun Pisco
SIX Brunei peace monitors left for the Philippines to join the 8th International Monitoring Team (IMT) deployed in Cotabato City since May 17, the Department of Foreign Affairs said yesterday. The Brunei contingent, composed of five members of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces and a member of the Royal Brunei... Read more
Published : Thursday May 24, 2012 | Category : National | Views : 14
YOUTH joblessness is almost back at its peak following the outbreak of the global economic crisis and is unlikely to ease until at least 2016, the International Labour Organization warned Tuesday. The ILO said nearly 75 million youths or 12.7 percent of people aged 15 to 24 will be out... Read more
