The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) welcomes the resolution of the Office of the City Prosecutor of Manila dismissing the baseless charges of violating Batas Pambansa Blg. 880 (BP 880) against Makabayan senatorial candidates Liza Maza, Ronnel Arambulo, Amirah Lidasan, and Eufemia Doringo, along with other respondents.

The dismissal, based on insufficiency of evidence, affirms what we have asserted from the beginning—these charges were nothing more than a brazen attempt to weaponize the law to silence progressive leaders and derail their electoral bids. he investigating prosecutor rightly ruled that the respondents’ mere presence at the Bonifacio Day rally, including their participation in the program as speakers, did not constitute organizing the event, especially without supporting evidence.

BP 880 has repeatedly enabled the criminalization of peaceful assembly and legitimate dissent. The dismissal of this case should serve as a call to finally repeal this draconian remnant of martial law, which continues to be wielded against activists and opposition figures. As history has shown, laws like BP 880 empower state forces to suppress political participation.

This victory is not just for the Makabayan candidates but for all Filipinos who uphold fundamental freedoms. However, it does not erase the injustice of these charges being filed in the first place. We must remain vigilant against all efforts to weaponize the law to curtail civil liberties, disenfranchise the people, and harass leaders who genuinely champion their democratic aspirations.#

Reference:
Atty. Josalee S. Deinla
NUPL Secretary General
+639174316396

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