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Mike Navallo

15 Oct, 24 tweets, 7 min read

NOW: KAPATID holds press conference.

Fides Lim, KAPATID spokesperson, criticizes the Supreme Court for long wait on petition for release of prisoners, only to refer it to lower courts: Pinaghintay niyo kami at binigo.

Lim to SC: We continue to appeal -- do not stand in your own way. Chief Justice Peralta, you have 2 more years to be true to your own words about our petition.

Lim was referring to Peralta's previous statement in a press release that detainees are presumed innocent.

Lim says they will pursue writ of kalayaan as suggested by SC Associate Justice Marvic Leonen in his separate opinion.

Lim: The Peralta court is provided with remedy with writ of kalayaan. Prove it, don’t be a passive court. Be a humane court.

Lim: Papadaanin niyo kami sa butas ng karayom pero di kami sinulid. Tao kami.

Atty. Rachel Pastores, managing counsel of Public Interest Law Center, discusses SC decision on political prisoners' plea for release. She explains SC did not rule on plea on equity/humanitarian grounds but referred matter to trial courts to resolve as bail petitions.

Pastores says SC didn't consider pandemic we are in:
Malayo po sa expectation. Time is of the essence. Nakita natin sa nangyari kay Reina Mae, imbes nakatulong, huli na.
Nanganak na siya at namatay na si baby River. Saan pa tayo tatakbo if there's an inaction from exec, legis?

Atty. Rey Cortez, NUPL secgen, says that while they welcome SC ruling which did not dismiss their petition outright, they are saddened that SC passed upon opportunity to resolve issues. Says there was no need to remand because they have equity jurisdiction but opted not to.

Cortez points out that in the case of ex-Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, the Supreme Court itself exercised equity jurisdiction.

SC in 2015 allowed Enrile to post bail on humanitarian grounds and on account of his social, political status that he is not a flight risk.

In response to press release from SC Wednesday disclosing CJ Peralta immediately ordered resolution of Reina Mae Nasino’s furlough motion, Cortez says NUPL thankful for CJ action but points out they disagree with how SC resolved their petition.

Lim blames courts for death of baby River. Says that as early as April 8 when Nasino was still pregnant, they already petitioned for release of detainees with SC but SC did not act on it until Nasino gave birth: They could have done something but they did not.

Lim commented on Manila court's shortening of furlough period: Only in PH do you have a mere warden who is able to thwart an order no less from the court.

Manila City Jail warden cited lack of personnel to ask for shorter furlough but Lim claims 47 BJMP, policemen present Wed.

Cortez says they will file manifestation today w/ Manila court detailing number of BJMP personnel present. Also questions why Nasino remained in handcuffs for the most part of the visit: Hindi hinayaan si Ina upang magdalamhati.
Para lang din siyang nandun sa loob ng city jail.

Cortez: Tingin namin inhumane ang treatment niya kahapon if in contrast sa ibang personalities. Parang di na rin siya inalis sa jail.

Also says Nasino should be allowed to talk to media: Hindi pa siya convicted. Hindi pa stripped of civil, political rights.

NUPL Pres Edre Olalia says they will study filing contempt and administrative charges against the BJMP, police personnel present on Wednesday during Nasino's visit to her baby's wake.

Some justices seemed unaware if Nasino had given birth based on their opinions. Pastores says they expect SC to know: Public knowledge nanganak na si Reina. If hindi sila aware, how can they make decisions applicable to circs if not consistent with what’s happening on the ground?

Cortez says SC justices should have taken judicial notice of Nasino's giving birth. He points out that SC took note of Angara Diary to support decision to declare ex-Pres Joseph Estrada resigned from the Presidency: Bakit di nila pwede ngayon?

Lim says SC aware Nasino gave birth because she and Nasino's mother, Marites Asis, wrote letters to SC several times. They also received a pink letter acknowledging receipt of their letters: Alam na alam ng SC na nanganak na si Reina Mae pero wala silang ginawa.

Lim says SC aware that Nasino gave birth bec she and Nasino's mother, Marites Asis, sent letters to SC. They also received a pink letter acknowledging receipt: Alam na alam ng SC na nanganak na si Reina Mae pero wala silang ginawa.

Lim also took note of SC ruling which declared their petition closed and terminated: Pinaghintay niyo kami tapos pagsasarhan niyo kami ng pintuan.

NUPL accuses BJMP of lying when it claimed lack of personnel which led to Manila court cutting short to 6 hrs the 3-day furlough originally granted to Reina Mae Nasino. Says about 47 jail and police officers escorted Nasino. Accuses them of cruel, inhumane treatment.

Integrated Bar of PH Pres Domingo Egon Cayosa says death of baby River raises questions about the need for the justice system to safeguards needs and rights of innocent child and the lack of adequate facilities for women and children in jails.

Karapatan says cruel, inhuman, degrading treatment of political detainee Reina Mae Nasino "not mere random displays of heartlessness and barbarity" but policy actions under the Duterte govt. Asks if anti-insurgency task force NTF-ELCAC also behind Nasino's treatment.

As NUPL SecGen Ephraim Cortez earlier announced, NUPL filed this afternoon a manifestation before a Manila court on how Nasino was treated—kept handcuffed for most of the visit, barred from speaking to media and the attempt to take her back to jail before 3-hr period lapsed.