Review of arrest order vs Ilocos mayor sought

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) has been asked to look into the validity of an arrest warrant issued against Mayor Edward Cobangbang of Cabugao, Ilocos Sur by a supposedly suspended judge.

The Filipino League of Advocates for Good Governance (FLAGG) over the weekend questioned the order issued by acting Cabugao Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Raphiel Alzate for the arrest of Cobangbang and 18 others.

The order stemmed from a case involving the closure of a local beach resort with the operator and a four-year-old boy trapped inside.

Ed Cordevilla, FLAGG founding chairman, said the judge issued the arrest warrant on Feb. 18 or six days after he was suspended by the SC over an administrative case.

Cordevilla said politics could be behind the issuance of the arrest order.

While the SC promulgated the suspension order against Alzate on Feb. 12, the order was only released to the judge early this month.

The RTC issued the warrant following a resolution of the Department of Justice (DOJ), which found probable cause to charge the mayor over a complaint filed by Virginia Ong, operator of the Cabugao Beach Resort.

The DOJ granted Ong’s petition for review and reversed a ruling of the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office, which dismissed the charges against the mayor .