SC urged to promulgate writ of kalayaan

Advocacy groups on Thursday trooped to the Supreme Court (SC) on the occasion of International Human Rights Day, calling for the promulgation of the writ of kalayaan to improve the plight of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).

Fides Lim, spokesperson of political prisoner support group Kapatid, said they wrote a letter to Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo regarding the writ.

"Ano na nangyari sa… writ of kalayaan? Mula ng 2020, 2021 nang prinopose ito nina Marvic Leonen, ni Justice Marvic Leonen, hindi pa gumagalaw. Masyado nang matagal," Lim said in an ambush interview.

(What happened to the writ of kalayaan? It was proposed in 2020 [or] 2021 by Justice Marvic Leonen, and nothing has happened since. It's been too long.)

"Kaya ngayon, sana dinggin ang apela namin sa Supreme Court na ipasa, i-proclaim, i-promulgate na ito. At saka i-elevate sa taas ang mga matatanda at 'yung ay malulubhang sakit," she added.

(Now, I hope that the Supreme Court will hear our appeal to proclaim, promulgate this writ. And to prioritize the elderly and those with conditions.)

The SC previously said the writ will result in an order directing those in charge to comply with a court-sanctioned plan to rectify any cruel, inhuman, or degrading condition or confinement.

Also present at the protest rally were the grandchildren of Alberto and Virginia Villamor, aged 68 and 73, respectively. Nico, one of their grandchildren, said Virginia has been detained for six years since November 2018.

"Nu'ng high school pa lamang po ako siya (Virginia) ay nakulong na po at naghihintay kami hanggang makalaya siya. From the previous administration to the current. May sakit po both ang aking grandparents and sana po habang sine-celebrate natin itong Human Rights Day, sana po pakinggan 'yung dinig namin," Nico said.

(She was detained when I was in high school and we’ve been waiting for her to be released. From the previous administration to the current. Both my grandparents are sick and I hope that while we are celebrating International Human Rights Day, our prayer will be heard.) — VDV, GMA Integrated News