Statement

Secretary Leila de Lima should stop using brute reason in interpreting the Court of Appeals ruling dismissing the case against me which she claimed she has not even read.

Let me remind her that in a civil and common law system like ours, the hierarchy of courts places the Supreme Court at the highest level and is therefore the sole authority to reverse the court of appeals in its ruling and decision - not any of the lower courts of the land and certainly not the Secretary of Justice.

The appellate court has ruled that there is no probable cause to indict me for two counts of murder and categorically nullified the warrant of arrest that the Manila RTC Branch 18 issued against me. De Lima cannot place herself above any court of law. Otherwise, the justice system becomes defective and worse, will self-destruct.

While I submit that the case dismissal is not yet final, as it may still be reconsidered by the same Court of Appeals division or can be reversed by the Supreme Court following proper legal rules and procedures, the same ruling clearly nullified the warrant of arrest which de

Lima wants to defy by ordering to continue the manhunt.

I and my family have suffered long enough for a crime I did not commit. I appeal to her not to confuse the public with her flawed and ill-advised legal opinion. It is hitting below the intellect but is inflicting the damage that some of her prosecutors have intended to achieve to cover up for their malicious prosecution.

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