The Department of National Defense (DND) on Friday expressed support to a Quezon City judge who is the subject of an investigation being pushed by members of the Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives.
(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said that the DND gives its "full support" to Judge Cecilyn Burgos-Villavert, of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court, in the face of the Makabayan bloc's allegations that she had issued "irregular" warrants against red-tagged activists and progressive groups.
"We firmly believe that a judge of the Honorable Villavert's caliber does not issue warrants without probable cause," he said.
Last Tuesday, the Makabayan bloc filed House Resolution 1427 which urged the House Justice Committee to conduct an investigation, in aid of legislation, on the warrants issued by Judge Burgos-Villavert against various activists.
The resolution was jointly filed by Bayan Muna Partylist Representatives Ferdinand Gaite, Carlos Zarate, and Eufemia Cullamat; ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro, Gabriela Partylist Rep. Arlene Brosas, and Kabataan Partlyist Rep. Sarah Elago.
The Makabayan bloc said that Judge Burgos-Villavert authorized the conduct of raids at the offices of various progressive groups in Tondo and Paco, Manila; and in Bacolod last year.
The bloc said that the search warrant issued by Judge Burgos-Villavert resulted in the arrest and filing of "trumped up" charges against several activists from Bayan Muna, Gabriela, Kadamay urban poor housing group, Manila Workers Unity labor group, and the National Federation of Sugar Workers for alleged illegal possession of firearms, ammunition, and explosives.
The Leftist solons added that Judge Burgos-Villavert also issued "questionable" search warrants which led to the arrest of Manila Today journalist Lady Ann Salem and six other union organizers of the labor group, Defend Jobs Philippines, last December 10. The series of operations conducted by the police marred the celebration of the International Human Rights Day on the same day.
However, Lorenzana said that the Makabayan bloc's decision to investigate the judge for merely doing her job was a mockery of the country's justice system.
"With this act, the Makabayan bloc is not only impugning the character and integrity of Judge Villavert but the nation's entire justice system as well," he said.
The Defense chief went on to accuse the Makabayan bloc of being a front organization of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People's Army (NPA).
"he Makabayan bloc has confirmed what we have been saying all along, that their members are fronts of the CPP-NPA," Lorenzana said.
The Makabayan bloc has yet to comment on Lorenzana's statements but its members have repeatedly denied accusations linking them to the communist movement.