KIKO ON THE SC'S DECISION TO DISMISS BATASAN 5 REBELLION CHARGE...

"The Supreme Court's decision to dismiss the rebellion charges against partyt-list group lawmakers Satur Ocampo, Liza Maza, Joel Virador, Teodoro Casio, Rafael Mariano and other civilians is a victory over political intimidation and a triumph of the defense civil and political rights in our democracy. During the height of the Batasan 5 controversy, we rallied the Senate to act through a resolution to protect our fellow lawmakers because we believe that the cases being hurled against them were marred by malice. We ensured that the overzealous executive was not able to use force to stifle political dissent, and now we are glad that the High Court has upheld this by once again demonstrating objectivity and independence in its ruling. This verdict sends a strong message that the rule of law is fearless and impartial."

"We hope that the case of the Batasan 5 will never again be repeated. Political dissent is a crucial ingredient of a democracy, as it ensures transparency and accountability in governance. So long as political dissent is constructive, our government should maintain an open mind and promote a culture of tolerance so that it can address issues comprehensively and govern more effectively."