The Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 32 denied the motion to post bail filed by the counsel of political prisoner Norberto Murillo.
Presiding Judge Thelma Bunyi- Medina stated in her order that Murillo’s motion for bail on humanitarian grounds is “denied for lack of merit.”
The 63-year-old Murillo, who is detained at the Manila City Jail, was charged with multiple murder following the discovery of a mass grave in Inopacan, Leyte province, in 2006.
Murillo filed a petition last Feb. 14 seeking temporary liberty due to “old age and failing health,” citing the Supreme Court’s decision granting former Senator Juan Ponce Enrile to fix bail.
The order stated that medical examination conducted on Murillo last May 12, 2016 “belie (s) any similarity to nor even a semblance of likeness to the illnesses of which Enrile were afflicted with, in terms of their nature, gravity and seriousness.”
“A plain reading of foregoing reveals accused-movant was not diagnosed, much less afflicted with a serious illness,” the resolution stated.
“In fact, he was not found to be ill at all. Per the report, he was only advised to undergo medical examinations to rule out affliction for certain illnesses,” the court added. (Analou de Vera)
