Release of Ozamiz vice mayor sought

The lawyer of Ozamiz City Vice Mayor Nova Princess Parojinog sought the immediate release of his client after police failed to file charges against her within the limits allowed by law.

“We will now insist na mapalaya yung aking kliyente na si Vice Mayor Parojinog (We will now ask for the release of my client, Vice Mayor Parojinog),” said her legal counsel, lawyer Ferdinand Topacio.

“Ayon sa batas, dapat i-charge mo within 36 hours (According to the law, she should be charged within 24 hours), otherwise, she should be set free,” explained Topacio who was expecting the inquest proceeding to be held on Monday before the Department of Justice (DOJ) but was instead reset by police.

If she is not released, Topacio said he will file a petition for a writ of habeas corpus from the courts to secure Parojinog’s release.

“Kasi kung walang charges, walang basis na siya ay nakapiit (If there are no charges then there is no basis to detain her),” he said.

Under the Revised Penal Code (RPC), a suspect has to be delivered to proper judicial authorities within 12 hours for crimes or offenses punishable by light penalties, or their equivalent; 18 hours for crimes or offenses punishable by correctional penalties, or their equivalent; and 36 hours for crimes or offenses punishable by afflictive or capital penalties, or their equivalent.

Nova and her brother Reynaldo Jr. were arrested before dawn Sunday during a series of raids conducted by the police who were serving search warrants against their family home in Ozamiz City.

The operations resulted in the death of 15 persons including their father, Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr., as well as wife Susan and brother, Misamis Occidental provincial board member Octavio Parojinog.

Police were able to seize during the operations various firearms and illegal drugs.

This developed as the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) clarified that Parojinog cannot serve as acting mayor while behind bars.

Ozamiz second councilor Girlet Luansing has been appointed acting mayor, while third councilor Michael Tagal became the city's acting vice mayor.

Under normal circumstances the highest ranked councilor should have assumed the post of acting mayor in cases when the two highest officials of the locality are indisposed due to various reasons.