Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 14) — Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla filed a complaint before the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) against Atty. Danny Villanueva, who represents five suspects in Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo’s murder.
In a briefing on Wednesday, Remulla said he has already written to the IBP about Villanueva \”trifling with the court.\”
The controversy stemmed from Villanueva’s submission of a writ of habeas corpus to the Manila Regional Trial Court on behalf of Osmundo Rivero, who alleged that his family was being unlawfully detained.
Rivero is among the 11 accused in the Degamo killing. He earlier claimed that law enforcers made him say that Negros Oriental Representative Arnie Teves gave the order to kill Degamo. He added his family was also threatened.
Remulla asserted that Villanueva proceeded with the filing despite knowing that Rivero’s wife and child had already been released from the government’s Witness Protection Program.
The justice secretary also pointed out that Villanueva did not affix his signature to the pleading.
“Hindi siya nakapirma. Pinapirma niya si Rivero kasi ayaw niyang ma-attribute sa kaniya ‘yung petition… Finile niya ‘yung habeas corpus petition kahit alam niyang naalis na sa witness protection program ‘yung asawa ni Mr. Rivero at kaniyang anak,” Remulla said.
[Translation: He didn’t sign. He made Rivero sign because he didn’t want the petition to be attributed to him. He filed the habeas corpus petition although he knew that Mr. Rivero’s wife and child had already been removed from the witness protection program.]
Remulla said he is only exercising his \”right to complain whenever there is misbehavior or unethical practice on the part of counsel.\”
Meanwhile, Villanueva stated in a text message that the threats he has been getting have forced him to take a leave of absence as counsel of five of the 11 defendants in Degamo’s assassination.
