Bayan Muna’s Rep. Zarate receives subpoena 1 day past summons indicative date

January 30, 2018 - 6:19 PM
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Rep. Carlos Zarate holds a paper crane in this January 2018 file photo. HANDOUT

MANILA, Philippines – Bayan Muna partylist Representative Carlos Zarate branded as “another harassment against the left” a case filed by a police officer in connection with participation in protest activities during the ASEAN Summit in November last year.

On Tuesday, January 30, Zarate’s office received a copy of the subpoena from Manila’s senior assistant city prosecutor, Anne Geraldine Agar, based on the complaint of Police Officer 1 Ariel Miranda Ortega and several others.

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Detail from the late subpoena.

The complaint was for direct assault (violation of Article 148 of Revised Penal Code) with physical injury; resistance and disobedience to a person in authority (violation of Art. 151, RPC); and violation of Batas Pambansa 880 or the Public Assembly Act.

The subpoena was for a January 29 hearing.

However, the notice reached Zarate’s office on January 30, ordering him to present a counter affidavit and answer clarificatory questions.

Zarate and the left-leaning lawmakers form the Makabayan bloc have been critical of the Duterte administration on various issues, including extra-judicial killings, charter change and Benham Rise. They have also called for investigation on several controversies at the House of Representatives.