In less than three months, the court acquits Remulla's son. Is this something that always happens?
In less than three months, the court acquits Remulla's son. Is this something that always happens?
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| Lawyer and former Bayan Muna lawmaker Carlos Isagani Zarate. |
One of Remulla's attorneys, Pearlito Campanilla, claimed that the trial went slowly and cited a Supreme Court (SC) order from 2017 that called for a 75-day trial duration.
The High Court's "Revised Guidelines for Continuous Trial of Criminal Cases" were finalized and upheld in 2017. On September 1st, 2017, it came into force.
First and second level courts, the Sandiganbayan, and even the Court of Tax Appeals had all been subject to the rules when dealing with newly filed criminal cases, including those covered by Special Laws and Rules.
The SC listed the following objectives of the guidelines:
• Protect and advance the constitutional rights of persons to speedy disposition of cases;
• “Reinforce and give teeth” to the existing rules on criminal procedure and other special rules;
•Provide innovation and best practices
The ruling provided guidelines on motions, and even on access to free legal assistance. But aside from these, it stated specific rules on handling drug-related cases.
The guidelines state that the trial period for drug-related cases must be finished within 60 days of the information or charge being filed by the prosecutor's office. A decision must also be reached within 75 days, or 15 days, of the case being submitted for resolution.
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In one media interview, the lawyer and former SC spokesperson, Theodore Te said a "speedy trial" does not always happen:
“I don’t have numbers on the length of time in other drug cases but no, it usually doesn’t happen in three months. Some bail petitions don’t get resolved in three months.”
Te also said in a tweet:
“A Las Piñas trial court has acquitted an accused of drug charges in what is, by our standards, record time. Perhaps the Muntinlupa trial court can consider doing the same for the falsely accused Leila de Lima sooner rather than later.”
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Lawyer and former Bayan Muna lawmaker Carlos Isagani Zarate, in a statement, said Remulla’s fast acquittal showed the disparity between the poor and privileged Filipinos in terms of access to a fair justice system. [...]
The former Makabayan lawmaker also said that poor Filipinos remained in jail for years, or even for decades, but Juanito Jose remained in detention for only three months.
“Sanaol (I wish) other long pending cases are as expeditiously decided like that of the young Remulla. While poor families or victims of trumped up charges languish in jail for years even decades, the young Remulla’s case is not even three months old,” Zarate added.
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