Miriam to Supreme Court: Stop rallies in my home

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago asked the Supreme Court yesterday to stop a cause-oriented group from picketing her home in Quezon City.

In a 22-page petition for the issuance of a temporary restraining order, the senator-judge said Akbayan Action Party, represented by its secretary-general Carmel Abao, held a "scandalous and tumultuous" rally without a permit in front of her home on Dec. 15.

"The assembly was obviously intended to coerce, threaten and intimidate the petitioner as senator-judge to cast a vote of conviction against the President," she said in her petition.

Santiago added that the rallyists chanted "Senador o Bentador" and held placards with provocative slogans, like "Senador ka ng sambayanan, hindi ng kawatan."

She said the rally, during which the rallyists banged on the gate and hurling objects against it, disturbed the tranquillity of her home and that of her neighbors, and caused "traumatic shock" to her two four-year-old adopted daughters.

"The unlawful exercise and abuse of freedom of speech by respondent (Akbayan) represents a clear and present danger to the principle of the independence of the judiciary. The State has a right to prevent this danger," Santiago added.

The senator is seeking an award for damages in the total amount of P7 million, consisting of P2 million for her mental anguish and wounded feelings and P5 million in exemplary damages for violation of her privacy.

Santiago said she is also contemplating to file a motion citing Akbayan for contempt of the Senate impeachment tribunal.

She said she is only "studying at length the implications of such a motion on the perceived solidarity and impartiality of the impeachment court."

She revealed rallies were held by Akbayan in the offices of Senators Juan Ponce Enrile in Makati, Tessie Aquino-Oreta in Ermita and Blas Ople along Roxas Boulevard on Dec. 19, 20 and 21, respectively.

Akbayan Action Party admitted that 30 of its members staged the lightning rally but described the rally as an "orderly and non-violent picket to demonstrate our sentiments against her (Santiago’s) obvious bias for the President in the impeachment trial."

Some 30 members of Akbayan staged a lightning rally in front of Santiago’s home on No. 29 Maalindog st., UP Village, Quezon City.

Describing the rallyists as "psychologically disturbed," Santiago had earlier denounced the rally as an "improper conduct tending directly or indirectly to impede, obstruct or degrade the administration of justice."