(Eagle News) — The Senate released Aegis Juris fraternity leader Arvin Balag from the senate premises on Thursday night, December 21, more than two months after he was first detained there on October 18,
This was confirmed by Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Jose Balajadia.
He said Balag first underwent medical check-up as part of standard operating procedure before release. Three lawyers accompanied him.
Balajadia said that he had already informed Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, chairman of the senate committee on public order, about Balag’s release.
It was Lacson’s committee which decided to detain Balag within the senate premises after he had been cited in contempt for refusing to answer the senator’s questions regarding the death of hazing victim, University of Sto. Tomas law student, Horacio “Atio” Castillo III.
Balag had been detained at the Senate premises since October 18. He was supposed to be released on November 6, but during the senate hearing, Lacson said this could not be done by the Senate because of Balag’s petition for certiorari with a prayer for a temporary restraining order (TRO) with the Supreme Court, questioning his detention at the Senate.
“Alam mo Arvin (You know Arvin), as chair I was inclined to talk to my colleagues to lift the contempt charges para ma-release ka na (so you could be released). But then you filed a petition for certiorari with prayer for TRO, so nobody wants to lose by default. So we’ll fight it out in the Supreme Court and in the meantime, you will stay longer in the Senate premises,” Lacson told Balag during the November 6 Senate hearing.
He explained to the Aegis Juris leader that it was his petition with the high court that got him more detention time.
Balag’s petition was filed with the Supreme Court on October 25, seven days after he had been detained.
(Meanne Corvera, Eagle News Service)