'Batasan 5' must file counter-affidavits by Apr. 10

The "Batasan 5" have until Monday to submit their counter-affidavits to rebellion charges filed against them by the Philippine National Police. GMA 7’s DZBB quoted Senior State Prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco as saying the case would be submitted for resolution if party-list Representatives Satur Ocampo (Bayan Muna), Joel Virador (Bayan Muna), Rafael Mariano (Anakpawis), Liza Maza (Gabriela) and Teodoro Casiño (Bayan Muna) fail to meet Monday’s deadline. He said if the five congressmen do not submit counter-affidavits, it will be taken they have waived their right to be heard. The five lawmakers have repeatedly refused to submit their counter-affidavits. Velasco said he would no longer entertain petitions seeking an extension, pointing out that the Department of Justice had already given the lawmakers two extensions. The lawmakers were slapped with rebellion for their alleged involvement in alleged aborted coup last February 24. They instead filed a petition with the Court of Appeals seeking the transfer of the preliminary investigation from the DOJ to local courts, citing alleged bias of state prosecutors.-GMANews.TV