In the News: November 2011
The following are articles from media websites mentioning the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) or its member-lawyers on November 2011.
House of Representatives divided, embattled by Cynthia D. Balana, Philippine Daily Inquirer
Published on November 18, 2011
“The National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) described the TRO issued by the Supreme Court on a DOJ hold-departure order as a “license to flee” for the former President and her husband.
“[Her] attempts to escape justice and frustrate efforts to prosecute her are in plain view that nobody could have missed it. The minute she steps out of the country, the quest for justice will almost certainly fall apart,” the group said.”
P-Noy, SC can both be blamed for GMA drama by Satur Ocampo, The Philippine Star
Published on November 19, 2011
“Regarding the TRO, the National Union of People’s Lawyers has issued a relatively sober, well-argued statement, putting to task both the Supreme Court and President Aquino.
The NUPL is composed of lawyers who provide mostly pro-bono legal services in public-interest and human rights cases. It has backed up the filing of criminal charges, against Arroyo and other officials in her administration, involving plunder, graft and corruption, and human rights violations. One such case, against retired Army Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan Jr. and others, is pending at the DoJ.”
HR groups seek repeal of Provincial Ordinance 5 by Juancho Gallarde, Dumaguete MetroPostPosted on November 20, 2011
“The National Union of Peoples Lawyers represented by Atty. Alfonzo Sinco, vice president for the Visayas, said the group is part of such efforts in declaring Provincial Ordinance No. 5 as unconstitutional, an invalid exercise of police power, a violation of the rights of individuals and groups to travel and a prior restraint on the exercise of the freedom of expression.
The NUPL representative had also quoted Dr. Everett Mendoza of the Silliman University Divinity School of Silliman University as saying Provincial Ordinance No. 5 violates the freedom of religion. Mendoza said it seeks to curtail or hinder the evangelical work of religious groups like going to medical missions and other humanitarian activities in the hinterlands.”
Group formed to ensure Arroyo is brought to court by Ina Alleco Silverio and Ronalyn Olea, Bulatlat.com
Published on November 23, 2011
“NUPL’s Olalia said while the Aquino administration has legal options in prosecuting the Arroyos, the latter could always go to the Supreme Court where they have the numbers.
“The Arroyos will not run out of cards to play as long as they have the numbers in the Supreme Court. So what really matters now, apart from sound legal tactics, is the political decisiveness of the Aquino administration,” he said.”
‘Morong 43′ ask judge to speed up case vs CGMAPosted on November 28, 2011
“Members of the so-called “Morong 43″ today asked the Quezon City Regional Trial Court to facilitate the P15 million civil case against former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Through their lawyer Edre Olalia, the group filed a second urgent manifestation with motion to resolve the case against Arroyo before the sala of QC-RTC Judge Maria Luisa Padilla of Branch 226.”
Answer ‘Morong 43’ suit, Arroyo told by Julie Aurelio, The Philippine Daily InquirerPublished on November 29, 2011
“In an order dated September 30, Padilla denied the application of Morong 43 for a writ of preliminary attachment to hold the defendants’ assets worth P15 million.
But the plaintiffs’ counsel, led by lawyer Edre Olalia of the National Union of People’s Lawyers, only received a copy of the order from the court on Monday.
It was learned that the court mailed a copy to the plaintiffs on October 18 but this had not yet arrived.
Padilla, however, ordered Arroyo and the 10 other defendants to answer the damage suit against them.
Olalia welcomed the court’s order requiring Arroyo and her codefendants to finally answer the charges.”