National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag on Friday took a swipe at Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s legal counsel, Atty. Jimmy Bondoc, over his remarks questioning why lawyers cannot receive and serve arrest warrants on behalf of their clients.
Speaking at a press briefing, Matibag said arrest warrants must be personally served to the individual subject of the arrest in accordance with the Rules of Court.
“Ngayon lang ako nakarinig ng ganon unless ‘yung abogado siya yung aarestuhin at willing magpakulong pwede ‘yon,” Matibag said.
“The warrant should be served personally, that is under the Rules of Court. Hindi ko alam saan galing ‘yung idea na ibigay mo sa abogado at siya ang magse-serve,” he added.
Matibag also remarked that he was unaware of any law allowing lawyers to personally serve warrants on behalf of authorities.
“Matagal na akong nag law school, pero baka ‘yung mga bagong lawyer may naturo sa kanilang bago,” he said.
The NBI chief made the statement following Bondoc’s criticism over what he described as inconsistent treatment in the serving of arrest warrants.
Bondoc earlier questioned why former senator Antonio Trillanes IV was allegedly allowed to present and serve a supposed arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Dela Rosa, while lawyers representing clients could not do the same.
“Kapag si Trillanes, pwede magserve, kaming mga abogado, hindi? Matagal ko na pong sinasabi, pagdating sa foreign, unrecognized warrants, wala pang batas o applicable rules, kaya nagkakagulo. Pag nagprisinta si Trillanes mag sheriff, payag kayo. Pag kami, bawal?” Bondoc said in a social media post.
Matibag, however, said Bondoc may have simply been confused about the legal process.
“Baka nagkaroon lang ng mix up na ‘yung subpoena, ‘yung summons sa warrant. Iba po ‘yung warrant. The warrant of arrest under the Rules of Court should be received personally by the one being arrested,” he added.
Trillanes recently went to the Senate after Dela Rosa reappeared there following a six-month absence, reportedly to present what he claimed was an ICC arrest warrant against the senator.
