LAWMAKERS ON Wednesday filed a resolution for the investigation of what it called “highly irregular” Makati bar drug raid that led to the arrest of three lawyers. Representative Doy C. Leachon, House justice committee chair, and Rep. Salvador B. Belaro, Jr. introduced House Resolution 2086 directing their panel, as well as the committee on good government and public accountabilty, to probe the Time Bar incident. “(The) incident is highly irregular considering that the ones arrested are lawyers who are officers of the court,” the solons stated in the resolution. The incident “has serious implication on the observance of basic constitutional rights especially the right to counsel, rights under custodial investigation and right to due process,” they added. Members of the Philippine National Police arrested on Aug. 16 lawyers Jan Vincent S. Soliven, Lenie Rocel E. Rocha, and Romulo Bernard B. Alarkon for alleged “obstruction of justice” during the search. The lawyers were not released until the evening of Aug. 17. The police also filed charges of resistance and disobedience upon agents of authority, violation of a city ordinance against civilians, crossing a police line, and “constructive possession of illegal drugs.” — Charmaine A. Tadalan

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