SC urged to order release of ‘Ilocos 6’ before Congress hearing resumes

THE CAMP of Ilocos Norte Governor Maria Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos asked the Supreme Court (SC) to immediately order of the release of the six provincial government employees currently detained in the House of Representatives, dubbed the “Ilocos 6.” Ms. Marcos and the Ilocos 6, through their counsel, ex-solicitor general Estelito Mendoza, filed an 11-page comment last July 19 reiterating their urgent plea for the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the House committee on good governance and public accountability’s probe on the alleged illegal use of the province’s tobacco excise taxes. They failed to get a TRO from the SC last Tuesday, July 17, as the high court, in an en banc session, re-raffled their petition following the move to inhibit by three justices, including Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes P.A. Sereno. Mr. Mendoza stressed that “grave and irreparably injury” may be inflicted on Ms. Marcos should the SC fail to issue a TRO in time for the resumption of the House probe.” The petition reads, “Forcing Gov. Marcos against her will to attend an unconstitutional inquiry devoid of any legality is an unquantifiable injury. It coerces Gov. Marcos to attend an inquiry led by her accuser, Respondent [House Majority leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo V. Fariñas] who has maligned and prejudged her of violation of Republic Act No 7171.” The petitioners elevated the case to the high court after the House of Representatives remained defiant of the Court of Appeals’s order to release the six.