BBM execs in Rody arrest to invoke sub judice rule

The government will raise procedural issues, particularly the sub judice rule, in response to the complaint filed by Sen. Imee Marcos with the Office of the Ombudsman against officials over the arrest and turnover of former president Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC), Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said yesterday.

- - Janvic Mateo

Remulla said that in his meeting with his co-respondents, including his brother Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla and Philippine National Police chief Rommel Marbil, they agreed to adopt a "common answer" for all procedural issues.

"That's sub judice. (That is) why it is hard to answer something that is sub judice. There is no determination yet from the Supreme Court about what happened," he told reporters.

He was referring to the proceedings before the Supreme Court where habeas corpus petitions have been filed in connection with Duterte's arrest, questioning its legality.

Sub judice rule prohibits parties from commenting on legal proceedings to prevent interference or obstruction of justice.