Marcos seeks court help following arrest threats

Manila: Ilocos Norte Governor Imee R. Marcos sought the Supreme Court’s intervention following threats of arrest by the House of Representatives and the continued detention of six Ilocos Norte government employees in connection with the investigation into the alleged misuse of 66.45 million peso (RM5.6mil) in tobacco funds to buy motor vehicles.

In a 67-page omnibus petition, Marcos, together with the “Ilocos Six” – Pedro S. Agcaoili Jr, Encarnacion A. Gaor, Josephine P. Calajate, Genedine D. Jambaro, Eden C. Battulayan and Evangeline C. Tabulog – urged the High Court yesterday to take jurisdiction on the habeas corpus case pending before the Court of Appeals. The same petition is also asking the court to immediately order the release of the six provincial government staff.

The petitioners likewise urged the Supreme Court to issue a writ of amparo against the House of Representatives, particularly its Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability and its chairman Ilocos Norte Representative Rodolfo Fariñas.

The petitioners said the writ of amparo is necessary “to protect the actual and threatened violations and infringement of their constitutionally guaranteed rights to liberty and security of person”.

A writ of amparo is a remedy that is available to any person whose right to life, liberty and security is violated or threatened with viola- tion by an unlawful act or omission of a public official or employee, or of a private individual or entity.

The Ilocos Six have been detained since May 29 at the House of Representatives after being cited in contempt by the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability.

During the May 29 inquiry, Fariñas said the Ilocos Six will be detained until Congress resumes its session on July 24, 2017.