Rappler's latest stories on regional trial courts
Ampatuans start to appeal guilty massacre verdict
(UPDATED) Unsay and Zaldy opt to go straight to the Court of Appeals, while Anwar Sr and his sons file a motion before the Quezon City court
Trial of the decade: Who is Judge Jocelyn Solis Reyes of the Ampatuan massacre case?
(UPDATED) The promulgation marks the end of an almost 10-year trial
Best friend of missing Bohol mayor testifies in kidnapping case
Angela Leyson, a complainant in the kidnapping case, recalls how Gisela Bendong-Boniel was compelled to stay in Bohol overnight by municipal staff to sign 'important documents'
Davao court issues hold departure order vs Kapa officers
A new rule allows the justice department to apply for a precautionary hold departure order despite the fact that no charge has been filed yet against Kapa-Community Ministry International
Labor leader sentenced to prison for illegal gun possession
The San Mateo regional trial court judge says Marklen Maga of the Kilusang Mayo Uno failed to show proof that the firearm was not his
Legazpi court bars overseas travel for Daraga Mayor Carlwyn Baldo
The Legazpi Regional Trial Court issues a a Precautionary Hold Departure Order against the local chief exeutive
DOJ asks Davao court to keep Trillanes from leaving PH
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra says the move is not linked to a Makati court's decision to allow Senator Antonio Trillanes IV to travel to Europe and the US from the second week of December to early February
Maria Ressa posts bail for tax case at Pasig court
(3rd UPDATE) The case at the Pasig court is just one of the 5 tax cases the Department of Justice has filed against Rappler Holdings Corporation and its president Maria Ressa
Media, human rights groups slam latest tax cases vs Rappler
(3rd UPDATE) 'The mounting tax charges against Rappler are a blatant form of legal harassment,' says the Committee to Protect Journalists
DOJ files yet another tax case vs Maria Ressa, Rappler Holdings in Pasig court
Aside from a case before the Court of Tax Appeals, the justice department files another tax charge at the Pasig Regional Trial Court
Trillanes says he has no special request if jailed
The mutineer-turned-senator says he will surrender to authorities when the time comes: 'We are prepared for the worst. Yayakapin ko 'yang eventuality na 'yan.'
Palparan's guilty verdict: Who is Malolos Judge Alexander Tamayo?
During his first year presiding over Branch 15, Tamayo found Armando Padilla guilty of raping his 11-year-old daughter, sentencing him to death. The case was appealed and the sentence was reduced to life imprisonment.
On the Trillanes case: Who is Judge Elmo Alameda?
(UPDATED) Judge Elmo Alameda has also handled the serious illegal detention case against Janet Napoles and the homicide case against ex-Batangas governor Jose Leviste
Nueva Ecija court clears Left leaders of murder charges
(UPDATED) The warrants of arrest against Satur Ocampo, Teddy Casiño, Rafael Mariano and anti-poverty secretary Liza Maza are no longer in effect
Batangas court dismisses case vs former UP film student
The Batangas Regional Trial Court Branch 87 dismisses the cases against against former UP film student Maricon Montajes, Anakbayan member Ronilo Baes, and farmer Rommiel Cañete
Group offers P1-M bounty for leads on Liza Maza, 3 others
(3rd UPDATE) 'Is he confirming that it is GMA who is behind the revival of the case?' asks the former lawmakers' counsel, referring to lawyer Ferdinand Topacio's involvement in the effort
Left leaders question judge's flip-flop in murder case
Ten years ago, the same judge said there was no basis to find probable cause to order the arrest of Maza, Mariano, Casiño and Ocampo
Court junks libel case filed by Chavit Singson vs 'Newsbreak 5'
Judge Corpus Alzate of Vigan City cites the right of the accused, composed of Newsbreak editors and writers, to a 'speedy trial' in the 11-year-old case
CA to Makati court: Reopen hazing case vs Tau Gamma Phi members
The Court of Appeals says the Makati City Regional Trial Court erred when it previously dismissed the case against 5 fraternity members implicated in the death of Guillo Cesar Servando
De Lima cries, writes emotional message on son's graduation
'To Vincent, I want to tell you, my son, that I am so happy and so proud of you,' writes detained Senator Leila de Lima. Read her full message here.
Court rejects De Lima request to attend son's law school graduation
Senator Leila de Lima's son Vincent Joshua Bohol is set to graduate from the San Beda College Alabang School of Law on Sunday, June 3
Jaybee Sebastian will plead guilty in De Lima drug trade case – DOJ
This follows the DOJ's dismissal of charges against Rafael Ragos to make him state witness against De Lima
De Lima seeks court permission to attend son's law school graduation
'To be personally present in such a special occasion is more than a compelling duty on the part of the accused De Lima as a mother,' Senator Leila de Lima's motion reads
SC greenlights lower court trial of Trillanes' 'Hacienda Binay' case
The High Court rules that parliamentary immunity does not apply to Trillanes' remaks which spawned the civil suit against him
Bedan lawyer, Davao judge also apply for Ombudsman post
(UPDATED) Davao City Regional Trial Court Judges Carlo Espero II and lawyer Rex Rico are among Ombudsman hopefuls, informed sources from the judiciary confirm to Rappler
Court acquits 5 accused drug dealers at Closeup concert
(1st UPDATE) Four months after an initial conviction, a Parañaque court grants the appeal of the accused, scoring the prosecution for their quality of evidence
Manila judge inhibits from Atio Castillo hazing case
Judge Alfredo Ampuan grants the motion for inhibition despite disagreeing with the grounds cited by the fraternity members
Fratmen in Atio Castillo case want Manila judge to inhibit
The fratmen allege that Judge Alfredo Ampuan is the brother-in-law of Dante Jimenez, head of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption, who assisted the Castillos during the preliminary investigation
Life on the line for young fratmen, but Atio Castillo’s mom feels numb
'They committed a crime they thought they can get away with; now they have all the time to think about what they did,' says Castillo's mother Carmina
Cayetano on ICC withdrawal, DOJ prosecutor now RTC judge, Panama Papers law firm to close | Midday wRap
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#ThewRap: Things you need to know, March 15, 2018
Hello! Here are the stories you shouldn't miss this Thursday.
Sereno urges students to fight for 'independent judiciary'
'Fight for freedom – want it, demand it, claim it,' Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno tells students in a forum in Bacolod City
Arrest warrant out for Chinese forwarder in P6.4-B shabu case
Chen Ju Long, also known as Richard Chen or Richard Tan, remains at large
CA affirms bail for 16 cops linked to Maguindanao massacre
The Court of Appeals says prosecutors failed to present evidence that would link the cops to the massacre
Court rejects 'nanlaban' claim, jails cop for killing motorcycle rider
PO2 Jonjie Manon-og is convicted of homicide over the death of John dela Riarte, who was arrested then shot en route to Camp Crame in July 2016
Bacolod courts dispose of 2,900 cases in 2017
Court records show 2,222 were criminal cases, including illegal drug charges
Morales on Carandang suspension, Roque on fake news, Taguba ordered arrested | Evening wRap
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Court orders arrest of Mark Taguba, middlemen in shabu smuggling
No bail is recommended for Customs broker Mark Taguba and several others facing charges
Manila court orders arrest of Tiamzons
But the communist leaders' lawyers say the rearrest is a violation since peace talks were 'not terminated properly'
Judge who ordered De Lima’s arrest inhibits from case
Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Judge Juanita Guerrero also orders that the court shall proceed with De Lima's case
National Press Club wins anew in legal battle vs GSIS
The Court of Appeals affirmed an order by the Regional Trial Court dismissing the estafa complaint filed by GSIS against former officers of the NPC in connection with the sale of a Vicente Manansala mural
House approves creation of 15 courts in Batangas
According to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Batangas chapter, RTCs in the province handle an average of 400 to 1,000 cases each
DOJ approves another libel case vs Trillanes filed by ex-VP Binay
The case covers media statements by Trillanes that there is a "P100 million racket a year" in Makati City
De Lima camp says SC ruling 'a travesty of justice'
'It disregards basic constitutional safeguards against the arbitrary issuance of arrest warrants,' says Senator Leila de Lima's chief of staff Fhillip Sawali
Ubial, De Lima, Trangia | Evening wRap
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Supreme Court's 9-6 ruling keeps De Lima in jail
(5th UPDATE) The High Court rules the Sandiganbayan has no jurisdiction over De Lima. This means her case will not be handled by the Office of the Ombudsman, but by DOJ prosecutors who will defend their case against her before the Muntinlupa RTC.
De Lima wants SC Justice Velasco to inhibit from her case due to conflict of interest
(UPDATED) Detained Senator Leila de Lima links Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr to inmate German Agojo who testified against her, but Velasco denies knowing Agojo
CA upholds arrest warrant vs wife of slain racer Enzo Pastor
The parricide case against Dalia Guerrero-Pastor over the killing of her husband is still pending before a Quezon City court
Urban poor communities file case against police drug operations
Police are being accused of conducting illegal operations over the forced drug testing in poor communities
CA affirms conviction in 2004 murder of Coca-Cola exec Chua-Sy
A careful examination of the records shows that there was conspiracy among the accused appellants since each of them played a role in the commission of the crime the CA s ruling says
