Palace asks anti-poverty chief Maza to surrender

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Tuesday called on National Anti-Poverty Commisioner Liza Maza to surrender to authorities after an arrest warrant was issued against her and three other former party-list lawmakers for murder.

In a press briefing, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said that Maza should adhere to the rule of law.

“If they are innocent then they should surrender, recognize the jurisdiction of the court and prove their innocence in court,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press briefing.

Roque said that Maza, who was among the nominees of the National Democratic Front appointed by Duterte to his Cabinet in 2016, has not been fired yet.

“If she goes on absent without leave, then the president will have to decide on her continuing appointment if need be because she cannot be absent. Her office is critical to the fight against poverty and we can’t have a secretary who is a fugitive from law,” he said.

A Nueva Ecija court two weeks ago issued the arrest warrant for Maza, former Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano, and former Bayan Muna party-list representatives Satur Ocampo and Teddy Casiño for the abduction and killing of Danilo Felipe in 2001, Jimmy Peralta in 2003 and Carlito Baduyang in 2004.

The three victims were reportedly supporters of rival party-list Akbayan.

The four party-list lawmakers denied the charges years ago and asked the court to dismiss the raps.

But the same court in 2008 said there was no probable cause to issue arrest warrant for the suspects, said Rachel Pastores, the lawyer of the leftist leaders. 

Militant groups called the murder charges “unjust persecution.”

The president’s mouthpiece also denied the allegation that the Palace has a hand in the revival of the case.

“She has to heed the warrant of arrest. Not even the president can interfere in our judicial process,” Roque said.

He added: “It’s been in court. It’s warrant of arrest issued by court not by the executive.”

Director General Oscar Albayalde, Philippine National Police chief, on Monday said he has ordered the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to hunt down the four ex-legislators.

READ: Ex-DAR chief condemns issuance of arrest warrant for 2006 murder case