Manila prosecutors have dismissed a complaint against some senatorial candidates and others over a rally during Bonifacio Day in November 2024.
In a six-page resolution dated January, the Manila Office of the City Prosecutor (OCP) dismissed the complaint for violation of the Public Assembly Act of 1985 against senatorial candidates Liza Maza, Ronnel Arambulo, Amirah Lidasan, and Eufemia “Mimi” Doringo due to insufficient evidence.
Also among the respondents were House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro, Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, Vladimir Quetua, Cristy Donguines, Mody Floranda, Danilo Ramos, Jerome Adonis, Jocelyn Abdamo, and Ferdinand Gaite.
Castro, Lidasan, Maza, Floranda, Brosas, Adonis and Ramos are seeking senatorial seats in the 2025 elections.
According to the OCP, liability under Section 13 of the Public Assembly Act lies on the leader or organizer of the assembly.
It found that though the respondents were present in the rally, there was no supporting evidence presented that they organized the event.
“Mere presence or being a participant in an otherwise peaceful assembly does not ipso facto make one liable for Violation of Section 13,” the OCP said.
Aside from this, the OCP did not give weight to the complainant’s allegations that some police officers were injured in the rally, saying there was no proof presented other than the allegation in the affidavit.
“It appears that the commotion was limited only at the time when participants from Recto Ave were blockaded by the CDM contingent while moving towards Mendiola, it said.
It said that the program later ended peacefully when the protesters voluntarily dispersed.
The OCP also noted that almost all the respondents are senatorial candidates.
“Their presence at the end of the program where they were introduced and given time to speak about issues/platform to the crowd is justified. It does not however mean that they are the leaders or organizers of the rally, absent any other evidence to substantiate the same,” it said.
“Foregoing considered, it is recommended that this complaint against respondents be dismissed due to insufficient evidence,” it added.
For its part, the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) welcomed the resolution, saying the complaint was a “brazen attempt to weaponize the law to silence progressive leaders and derail their electoral bids.”
Further, the NUPL said the law should be repealed as it is being wielded against activists and opposition figures. —LDF, GMA Integrated News
