Supreme Court upholds Court of Appeals ruling vs amparo plea

MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court (SC) has upheld a Court of Appeals (CA) ruling junking a petition for a writ of amparo filed by an urban poor group leader against President Arroyo, Ombudsman Ma. Merceditas Gutierrez and former chiefs of the police and military.

In a 24-page decision, the SC said the CA did not err in dismissing the petition of Lourdes Rubrico and her daughters, Jean Rubrico-Apruebo and Joy Rubrico-Carbonl, due to the immunity of the President from legal suits.

Rubrico, who chairs the Ugnayan ng Maralita Para sa Gawa at Adhikain, alleged that she was abducted by Air Force intelligence agents based at Fernando Air Base in Lipa City, Batangas and tortured for a week to get her to admit membership in the New People’s Army and identify her fellow rebels in April 2007.              – Edu Punay