Malacañang has National Anti-Poverty Commission Secretary Liza Maza to surrender to authorities following the arrest warrants issued by a local court against her and three other party-list lawmakers on murder charges.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said Tuesday that Maza, an incumbent member of President Rodrigo Duterte’s Cabinet, should respect the rule of law.
“I ask her to surrender, face the charges against her, and prove her innocence,” said Roque.
“I’m sure that she has no reason to worry about [since] our courts can be relied upon for an impartial decision.”
Duterte has not fired Maza since the issuance of arrest warrants by Nueva Ecija trial court against her, former Agrarian Reform secretary Rafael Mariano, and former party-list Representatives Satur Ocampo and Teddy Casiño.
He added that Maza might become a fugitive if she would not surrender physically to the Regional Trial Court.
“If she goes AWOL, absence without [official] leave, then the President will have to decide on her continuing appointment because she cannot be absent,” said Roque, highlighting that the NAPC played a crucial part in fighting against the country’s poverty.
“We cannot have a secretary who is a fugitive from the law.”
In a related development:
• Duterte called communist leader Jose Maria Sison as having a “bankrupt mind” during a speech Monday at the destruction of contraband luxury vehicles and motorbikes at the Port Irene in Santa Ana, Cagayan.
Duterte also described the New People’s Army guerrillas as “slaughterers” who have for decades killed “their own countrymen.”
“There is only one person thinking [for the NPAs]. There is only one person using his …gray matter between his ear. You are like robots,” he said.
Duterte also described members of the NPA as “arrogant” who push war and stop the progress and development of communities.
”You cannot even occupy a barangay. When you’re able to shoot somebody, kill civilians, kill soldiers, for nothing. For nothing. Not even an ideology. There is actually none at all. You’re fighting for a bankrupt mind,” the President said.
Instead of continuing the armed struggle, Duterte said communist guerrillas must “trust the government” and support economic centers and businesses.
Saying the communist rebels were strong in Cagayan, Duterte said it would mean nothing to them except for Sison whom “you [rebels] believe what is in his head.”
He said he was once mesmerized by Sison but he admitted that he later reflected and reviewed his thoughts.
“You know there is always a time to reflect and review what we have in this life. It is not revolution…it has to be evolution,” he said.
In Malacañang, Roque said Maza must heed the warrant of arrest.
Even the President cannot interfere in the judicial process as Maza’s legal problem is something that she has to decide for herself, Roque said.
He also added the President expected his Cabinet members to adhere to the country’s rule of law.
“Cabinet members must lead by way of example,” Roque reiterated, adding upon his appointment as the President’s spokesman, he had never seen Maza attend any Cabinet meeting.
Asked whether the Palace would provide assistance to Maza, Roque said she had not asked for assistance yet.
“[If she asks] then we will see what we can do,” said Roque, stressing they could not give her security, but they could only give her similar treatment and detention facility as that given to Senator Leila de Lima.
Last Thursday, a Nueva Ecija court issued arrest warrants against Maza, Ocampo, Casiño, and Mariano who were accused of killing political rivals.
In 2006, the four party-list lawmakers were accused of killing Danilo Felipe in 2001, Jimmy Peralta in 2003, and Carlito Bayudang in 2004.
The three victims were supporters of Bayan Muna’s rival party-list Anakbayan.
Since then, Ocampo, Casiño, Maza, and Mariano, with former Congressman Joel Virador (Bayan Muna), were tagged as the “Batasan Five” for seeking refuge at the House of Representatives amid the filed charges against them. With PNA
