The Court of Appeals has ordered Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II to explain the suspension of Manila City Prosecutor Edward Togonon for not releasing three people from police custody despite the dismissal of the charges against them. In a resolution dated July 5, the CA’s Fifth Division directed Aguirre to answer the petition filed by Togonon questioning his 90-day suspension order. The appellate court gave the Justice secretary 10 days from receipt of notice to comply with the order and file his comment. The controversy arose after Aguirre suspended Togonon last month for not following his Department Circular No. The complaints for violation of RA 9165, RA 10591 and obstruction of justice against Betty Chan, Luz Chan, and Bernales were dismissed for insufficiency of evidence.

Source: The Standard July 13, 2017 16:07 UTC