REBELLION OR NOT?

During her interview by Daniel Razon from UNTV, Senator Hontiveros categorically said that there is no Rebellion being committed by Maute Terrorist Group in Marawi City.  To check this, let us revisit the Law on Rebellion...

Under Revised Penal Code!!!

"Article 134. Rebellion or insurrection – How committed. – "The crime of rebellion or insurrection is committed by rising and taking arms against the Government for the purpose of removing from the allegiance to said Government or its laws, the territory of the Republic of the Philippines or any part thereof, of any body of land, naval or other armed forces, or depriving the Chief Executive or the Legislature, wholly or partially, of any of their powers or prerogatives." 

Elements of the Crime of Rebellion:

1. There is a public uprising and taking arms against the government;
2. The purpose of the uprising or movement is:

     a. to remove from the allegiance to the government or its laws Philippine
         territory or any part thereof, or any body of land, naval, or other armed
         forces;

     b. to deprive the Chief Executive or Congress, wholly or partially, of any of
         their powers or prerogatives.

The essence of this crime is a public uprising with the taking up of arms. It requires a multitude of people. It aims to overthrow the duly constituted government. It does not require the participation of any member of the military or national police organization or public officers and generally carried out by civilians. Lastly, the crime can only be committed through force and violence.
(Ortega Lectures)

Rebellion and insurrection are not synonymous. Rebellion is more frequently used where the object of the movement is completely to overthrow and supersede the existing government; while insurrection is more commonly employed in reference to a movement which seeks merely to effect some change of minor importance, or to prevent the exercise of governmental authority with respect to particular matters of subjects (Reyes, citing 30 Am. Jr. 1) 

(Ortega Lectures)

You be the judge... Is there a Rebellion or None?

SAPAGKAT AKOY SUNDALO

SAPAGKAT AKOY SUNDALO

              Jojo Calades

Ako po'y sundalo,

Ako daw ay matapang, malakas, makisig, matibay.

Di takot mamatay!

Handang mag-alay ng buhay, para sa bayan...

Mga katagang masarap pakinggan.

Ngunit, natatakot din ako.

Sa bawat haging ng punglo sa aking tagiliran,

   umuukit sa isipan, mga anak kong

   nangungulila sa aking pagkalinga...

Sa bawat tilamsik ng dugo ng magiting kong kasama,

   dahil sa balang tumudla,

   sumisilay sa diwa ang aking asawa,

   na laging nananabik sa aking pagbabalik.

Sa bawat paghibik ng naghihingalo kong kakampi,

   kumikirot ang aking budhi

   para sa maiiwan niyang lipi.

Oo natatakot ako.

Pero ang takot ko ay siya ding tapang ko.

Ang takot ko ay siya ding lakas ko.

Natatakot akong mapariwara ang bayan ko.

Kaya't lumalaban ako para sa mga anak ko at sa mga anak ninyo.

Lumalaban ako para sa pamilya ko.

Lumalaban ako, sapagkat ako'y sundalo.

Sa bawat panaghoy ng mga kasamang binubuwal ng punglo,

   lalong sumisidhi ang hawak ko sa gatilyo.

Habang mahimbing ang tulog niyo sa inyong mga tahanan,

   gumagapang kami sa putikan at sa gubat ng kadiliman.

Habang napapangiti kayo sa saliw ng musika,

   kalansing ng bala at dagundong ng bomba sami'y tumutusta.

Sa bawat pagtaas ng watawat... pagkatapos ng lahat,

   taas-noo akong tutula at aawit.

Ngunit kung ako'y sinawing palad,

   bangkay koy ibigay kay Inay.

Pagka't utang ko sa kaniya ang aking buhay

   marapat lang na sa kaniya ako'y humimlay.

IMPEACHMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES

IMPEACHMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES

WHAT IS IMPEACHMENT?

Impeachment in the Philippines is an expressed power of the Congress of the Philippines to formally charge a serving government official with an impeachable offense. After being impeached by the House of Representatives, the official is then tried in the Senate. If convicted, the official is either removed from office or censured.

BASES OF IMPEACHMENT:

Section 1, Article XI of the 1987 Constitution declares that “Public office is a public trust. Public officers and employees must at all times be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency, act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives.”

The provisions on impeachment are enshrined in Article XI of the 1987 Constitution.

WHO ARE IMPEACHABLE OFFICERS:

The President

Vice-President

Members of the Supreme Court (Justices of the Supreme Court)

Members of the Constitutional Commissions (Comelec/COA/CSC)

Ombudsman

This list of officers is exclusive. All other public officers and employees may be removed from office as provided by law, but not by impeachment.

GROUNDS FOR IMPEACHMENT:

Culpable violation of the Constitution

Treason

Bribery

Graft and corruption

Other high crimes

Betrayal of public trust

These grounds are exclusive and offenses not falling within these parameters shall not be sufficient for impeachment purposes.

PROCEDURE AT THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

The process begins at the House of Representatives, which has the exclusive power to initiate all cases of impeachment. A verified complaint must be filed by either a Member of the House of Representatives or by any citizen upon a resolution of endorsement by any Member thereof. Once the verified complaint has been filed it shall be included in the Order of Business within ten session days, and referred to the proper Committee within three session days thereafter. The Committee, after hearing, and by a majority vote of all its Members, shall submit its report to the House
within sixty session days from such referral, together with the corresponding resolution. The resolution shall be calendared for consideration by the House within ten session days from receipt thereof. In the committee hearings, a vote of at least one-third of all the Members of the House shall be necessary either to affirm a favorable resolution with the Articles of Impeachment of the Committee, or override its contrary resolution. The vote of each Member shall be recorded.

If however, the verified complaint or resolution of impeachment is filed by at least one-third of all the Members of the House, the same shall constitute the Articles of Impeachment, and trial by the Senate shall forthwith proceed.

PROCESS/TRIAL AT THE SENATE:

The Senate has the sole power to try and decide all cases of impeachment. When sitting for that purpose, the Senators shall be on oath or affirmation. When the President of the Philippines is on trial, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall preside, but shall not vote. No person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of all the Members of the Senate.

EFFECTS OF CONVICTION:

The person impeached shall be removed from office and shall be disqualified to hold any office under the Republic of the Philippines, but the party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to prosecution, trial, and punishment according to law. It is clear that the liability does not end at the Senate, the person impeached shall also be held for appropriate action as a result of his illegal and improper acts.

LIMITATION:
No impeachment proceedings shall be initiated against the same official more than once within a period of one year.

ANTI-DISTRACTED DRIVING ACT (11 Things You Need To Know) Department of Transportation - DOTr Philippines·Wednesday, May 17, 2017

ANTI-DISTRACTED DRIVING ACT (11 Things You Need To Know)

Department of Transportation - DOTr Philippines·Wednesday, May 17, 2017

1. What is RA 10913 or the Anti-Distracted Driving Act?

RA 10913 or the Anti-Distracted Driving Act is a new law that prohibits motorists from using communication devices and other electronic entertainment and computing gadgets while vehicles are in motion or temporarily stopped on a traffic light or an intersection. A motorist, as defined under this law, is a person who is driving a motor vehicle.

2. What vehicles are covered by this Act?

This act covers both public and private vehicles. It also covers wheeled agricultural machineries, construction equipment, and other forms of conveyances such as bicycles, pedicabs, trolleys, “habal-habal”, “kuligligs”, wagons, carriages, and carts that may either be human-powered or pulled by an animal as long as the same are operated or driven in public thoroughfares, highways or streets.

3. What does this law prohibit?

Prohibited acts made while driving include but not limited to: making or receiving calls, writing, sending or reading text-based communications, playing games, watching movies, performing calculations, reading e-books, composing messages, and surfing or browsing the internet.

4. What are the actions exempted from this law?

Motorists are allowed to use their devices to make or take emergency calls to authorities in cases of a crime, accidents, bomb or terrorist threat, fire or explosion, instances needing immediate medical attention, or when personal safety and security is compromised.

5. Can we use hands-free devices like microphones and earphones?

Yes. Motorists can use the aid of hands-free function and applications as long as these do not interfere with the driver’s line of sight. This means that no communication or electronic gadget should be affixed on the car’s dashboard and steering wheel. In addition, drivers are only allowed to wear earphones when making or receiving calls. Using earphones to listen to music falls under “similar acts” in Section 4B of the law, in addition to reckless driving violation penalized under other relevant laws. Dashcams may be placed above the dashboard or behind the rear view mirror as long as it does not obstruct the driver’s line of sight.

6. Can we still use traffic and navigational apps like Waze and Google Maps while driving?

Yes. Although motorists are being advised to set their preferred destination on these applications prior to their departure. Gadgets with these applications may be installed in areas shown in the picture below, or other areas that will not obstruct the driver’s view. In cases when motorists need to find alternate routes while in traffic, they are advised to first pull their vehicles aside.

7. Who are authorized to apprehend violating motorists?

The DOTr - Land Transportation Office (LTO) is the lead implementing agency of the Act. The LTO also has the authority to deputize members of the PNP, MMDA, and LGUs to carry out enforcement functions and duties.

8. How will we know if drivers of private vehicles with heavily-tinted windshields are violating the law?

Aside from some high-definition cameras that can monitor lights from devices inside tinted vehicles, the law will also be enforced by enforcers on the ground who were trained by LTO to determine from the movement of the vehicle whether or not a driver commits distracted driving. A Memorandum Circular setting specifications on the regulation of tints shall be released by LTO soon, upon consultation with tint manufacturers.

9. What are the penalties?

Violators will be penalized with a fine of five thousand pesos (Php5,000) for the first offense, ten thousand pesos (Php10,000) for the second offense, and fifteen thousand pesos (Php15,000) for the third offense with a three-month suspension of driver’s license. Violations incurred beyond the third offense shall be penalized with the revocation of driver’s license and a fine of twenty thousand pesos (Php20,000).

10. Are operators of Public Utility Vehicles (PUV) also liable for violations made by drivers?

Yes. Operators and owners of Public Utility Vehicles (PUV) and other commercial vehicles shall both be held liable for the violations committed by their drivers. 

11. When will this be implemented?

The Anti Distracted Driving Act shall be implemented nationwide starting May 18.

Republic Act 10913 - ANTI DISTRACTED DRIVING LAW

The Principle of Double Jeopardy

BATAS PARA SA MASA

The Principle of Double Jeopardy

Ang Prinsipyo ng Double Jeopardy ay klaro na nakapaloob mismo sa ating 1987 Philippine Constitution. Sabi sa Section 21, Article III :

“No person shall be twice put in jeopardy of punishment for the same offense. If an act is punished by a law and an ordinance, conviction or acquittal under either shall constitute a bar to another prosecution for the same act.”ralaw”

Sabi ng Supreme Court, kailangan ang tatlong mahalagang elemento para sa valid na pag-claim ng double jeopardy:

(1) A first jeopardy must have attached prior to the second;

(2) the first jeopardy must have been validly terminated; and

(3) the second jeopardy must be for the same offense as that in the first

(Canceran vs. People of the Philippines, G.R. No. 206442).

Sa karagdagan, meron lamang double jeopardy kung:

(a) when there has been a valid indictment,

(b) before a competent court,

(c) after arraignment,

(d) a valid plea having been entered, and

(e) the case was dismissed or otherwise terminated without the express consent of the accused

(Icasiano vs. Sandiganbayan, G.R. No. 95642, May 28, 1992).

I-apply natin ang prinsipyong ito sa pinag-uusapan at sikat na kaso laban kay Janet Napoles. Siya po ay kinasuhan at hinatulan na mabilanggo ng isang Makati RTC sa salang Serious Illegal Detention. Inapela niya sa Court of Appeals ang hatol na guilty sa kaniya ng Makati RTC. Sa kaniyang Appeal, sinabi ng CA na nabigo ang prosekusyon na patunayan nang walang pagdududa (guilty beyond reasonable doubt) ang mga ebidensiya laban kay Napoles. Dahil dito, binaliktad ng CA and desisyon ng Makati RTC, at si Janet Napoles ay pinawalang sala na sa kasong Serious illegal Detention.

Ang tanong, maari pa po bang iapela ang desisyon ng Court of Appeals na nagpapalaya kay Janet Napoles? HINDI na po dahil papasok na dito ang double jeopardy. Lahat po ng mahahalagang elemento ay nakapaloob na sa kaso ni Napoles.

Ang ibig sabihin ng Double Jeopady sa pang-masang termino ay : Hindi ka pwedeng maakusahan ng dalawang beses sa isang pagkakasala.

BUHAY Working Law Student...

BUHAY Working Law Student...

Kahapon, May 3, 2017, inilabas ng Supreme Court ang resulta ng 2016 Bar Examinations. Out of 6,344 examinees, 3,747 ang pumasa or 59.06 percent . Ito po ay napakataas na passing rate kung ikukumpara sa usual passing rate na 20 to 30 percent lamang. Sa katotothanan, ang 59.06 ay pangalawa sa pinakamataas na passing rate sa Bar Exam history. At ito rin ang unang beses na walang topnotcher (sa top 10) na nagmula sa Manila Schools. Ito cguro ang isa sa nagpapatunay na ang galing at talino ay nasa estudyante at hindi sa eskuwelahan.

As usual, dalawang mukha ng emosyon ang ating nasilayan kahapon. May mga lumuha sa tuwa dahil naipasa nila ang Bar exams at sa isang panig, ang luha ng pagkabigo dahil wala sa listahan ang kanilang pangalan. Well, hindi ito ang ating pag-uusapan ngayon. Nais kong bisitahin ang buhay ng isang working law student.

Ano nga ba ang buhay ng isang working law student?

Mahirap... Napakahirap... yan ang mga sagot na maririnig mo sa kanila. Well, bilang isang dating working law student, gusto ko ibahagi ang kanilang/aming karanasan. Usually, 8am-5pm and oras ng trabaho. Then, ang mga law schools ay nagsisimula ang pasok from 5:30 ng hapon hanggang 8:30 ng gabi pag Monday to Friday. Pag Saturday naman, whole day ang schedule. Pag working student ka, mag-iisip ka ngayon: kukuha ka ba ng Full Load o magbabawas ka ng subjects sa isang semester. Depende yon sa schedule ng work mo kung kaya mo mag full load. Of course, pag full load ka, pwedeng matapos mo ang LlB within four years; kung wala kang ibabagsak na subject. Kung underload ka, more than 4 years ka sa Law School.

Paano nakakapagbasa ang isang working law student?

Kaakibat na sa buhay ng isang law student ang magbasa nang magbasa nang walang katapusan. Kung hindi siya magbabasa, hindi siya law student. Dahil nasa work nga ang isang working student from 8am to 5pm, makakapag basa lang siya kung may breaktime. Kaya tuwang tuwa yan pag Holiday kasi mahaba ang oras niyang magbasa. Sa aking karanasan, pagkalabas ng office, sasakay na ako ng Jeep papuntang Law School dahil hahabulin ko ang 5:30 class. Dahil traffic, kadalasan late ako sa klase. Buti na lng, dalawa ang pinto ng classrooms namin: sa harap kung saan nakapwesto ang professor, at sa likod. Of course, sa likod ako dadaan, para hindi halatang late ako. Ang siste, pag nakita ng sadistang professor na late ka, ikaw ang tatawagin sa recitation... Lagot ka.

Sa mga gustong mag aral ng Law, tandaan niyo, sa law school araw-raw ang recitation. Kaya kung hindi ka nakapagbasa, wag ka na lang pumasok dahil anytime, pwede kang matawag. At hindi pwede na hindi ka sasagot at sasabihin mong hindi ka nakapagbasa. Pag pumasok ka, it means ready ka sa recitation. At kung hindi ka makakasagot sa unang tanong pa lang , lalo kang puputaktehin ng mga tanong at ipapahiya ka sa klase. Kumbaga, alam naman ng professor na hindi ka nakapagbasa, pero lalo ka ididiin... Ganyan sila ka sadista( sorry for the word mga prof,,, hehehe). Pag alam nilang ready ka, pauupuin ka kaagad. Pero pag alam nilang di ka ready, di ka agad makakaupo dahil sunod-sunod na tanung ang ibibigay sayo. Ang siste, may mga kaklase akong babae na umiiyak sa klase. Kaya, bilang isang law student, no choice ka kundi magbasa. Pinasok mo yan, panindigan mo. Sanay na sa kahihiyang ang mga law students. Dahil araw araw sila napapahiya sa klase. Hehehe... Joke pero totoo.

Paano ako nakakapagbasa? Tulad ng nasabi ko sa taas, basa-basa din pag breaktime or habang nakasakay sa jeep o FX papunta sa school at pauwi sa bahay. Pagdating sa bahay ng 9:30 or 10pm, kakain lang tapos basa uli hanggang kaya ng mata. Usually natutulog ako mga 3am na. Gigising naman ng 6am. So, ano ang mangyayari kung ganyan ang tulog mo sa loob ng 4 or 5 years? Eh di para ka nang Zombie.... Laging nagluluha ang mata. Ilang beses nangyari sa akin na pag tumayo ako galing sa pagbabasa, para akong nakalutang at parang matutumba! Pag ganun na ang nangyayari, kailangan ko nang matulog at siyempre, katakot-takot na dasal ang nasasambit ko. “Lord, ikaw na bahala sa akin...”

Puro na lang ba pagbabasa ang ginagawa ng mga working law students?

Siyempre meron din kaming kasiyahan.... Pag wala ang professor, deretso agad sa Tambayan ng mga law students. Oorder ng beer at kakain. Ano naman ang pinag-uusapan namin? Eh di discussion pa rin ng law subjects or ginagaya si Prof na masungit at sadista or pulutan si kaklaseng umiyak. Hehehe... Ganun lang. Eh kung may-asawa na si working law student? Nakupo, ako ang tagasagot sa celphone ng kaklase ko pag tumatawag si misis. “Mam, dito lang po kami, may group discussion lang po.” “Ha, alas tres na ah, dicussion pa rin?” “Ha, eh opo, kac kailangan namin matapos para bukas”. Hayyyy... Nakalusot ba? Ewan...

Nagagawa niya pa ba ang usual na gawain nung hindi pa siya nag-aaral?

Malabo... Kailangan niya munang iwasan ang mga extra-curricular activities. Kumbaga, sacrifice muna. Focus.... Kung gusto mo maging abugado, iwas muna sa mga lakad. Concentrate muna. Anyway, 5 years lang naman yan... Pag pumasa ka naman sa bar, sulit lahat ng pagod at sakripisyo mo....

O PAG-IBIG

Kinatha ni Amang Kayumanggi habang breaktime sa trabaho..... Nakatunghay ang mapanglaw na mga mata sa kawalan, Ni hindi mabanaag ang siwang ng liwanag mula silangan. Pilit inuukit sa alaala ang mga gunita, Ng nasiphayong pagsinta… Napapangiti pag sumusulyap ang tamis ng lambingan, Napapaindak sa saliw ng musikang hatid ng hanging amihan. Subalit paglambong ng ulap ng pighati, Sumusukob sa diwa ng pusong sawi. Nag-uunahan…Nag-aagawan… Matatamis…Mapapait… mga alaala ng mahiwagang pag-ibig! Kakambal ba ng ligaya ang hapdi at dusa, Tulad sa araw at gabi, o ilaw na patay sindi? Kailangan bang umibig para lamang masawi, O kailangan masawi, para makamtam pag-ibig na nilulunggati? Kahit anong subok hinding-hindi mo maaarok, Hiwaga ng Pag-ibig, tangan-tangan sa ‘yong dibdib. Ngunit dapat mong matutunan at laging tatandaan. Mabuti na ang umibig kaysa di nasubukang puso’y kumikig.