Danniell Domingo

After filing a counter affidavit, a court dismissed the criminal case against Makabayan bloc Senate bets Mimi Doringo and Mody Floranda, as well as leaders of transport groups Manibela and Piston on Dec.4.

Photo Courtesy of PISTON/Facebook/Altermidya.

The dismissal was due to a lack of probable cause for alleged violations of the “no permit, no rally” policy under Batas Pambansa Blg. 880.

The Metropolitan Trial Court issued a resolution, stating that the prosecution failed to submit evidence proving there was no permit issued to or filed by Doringo and Floranda, along with Manibela leaders Mario Valbuena and Regie Manlapig, and Piston Deputy Secretary General Ruben Baylon. 

Hence, the arraignment scheduled the next day, Dec. 5, is cancelled.

In a press release on Dec 6, Doringo said that the BP 880 or the Public Assembly Act is misused by the Philippine National Police (PNP) to silence the people who rally for change.

“Nilikha lamang ni Marcos Sr. at ginamit ng mga sumunod na mga administrasyon ang batas na ito upang patahimikin ang taumbayang uhaw sa tunay na pagbabago,” she said. 

Piston also expressed on Facebook the call for unity and resistance against actions that try to suppress one’s rights.

“Magkaisa at labanan ang lahat ng pagtatangka ng mga nasa kapangyarihan na supilin at durugin ang ating mga pang-ekonomya at demokratikong karapatan,” Piston said.

The criminal case filed against the two Makabayan senate bets and transport leaders stemmed from the protest to Mendiola on Aug. 14. 

In response, the Philippine National Police (PNP) charged them for violating the BP 880, Doringo said.

Manibela and Piston condemned the action, stating that it aims to silence the voices of the people.