HOUSE prosecutor Terry L. Ridon of Bicol Saro Party‑list on Monday accused the Philippine National Police (PNP) of enforcing the law unequally, questioning why veteran journalist Philip Lustre Jr. was arrested over the weekend while Vice President Sara Z. Duterte was not taken into custody despite facing a separate arrest warrant.
“The double standard is clearly at play,” Ridon stated. “The PNP should clarify why Philip Lustre was arrested while the Vice President was not — both cases involve bailable offenses.”
Lustre, 72, was arrested on October 24 immediately after leaving a media forum in Quezon City and released later that evening upon posting ₱48,000 bail. His counsel, Atty. Dino de Leon, has identified Vice President Duterte’s husband, Atty. Manases Carpio, as the complainant in the cyberlibel case filed in Davao City. In contrast, Duterte posted ₱360,000 bail on September 5 — the day after a Quezon City court issued a warrant against her for three counts of grave threats — and the warrant was subsequently lifted without her being physically taken into custody.
Ridon emphasized that both offenses are bailable, making the difference in police treatment even more conspicuous. He noted that the PNP has previously cited the non‑bailable nature of plunder charges to justify other arrests, but that rationale does not apply here. “What is the distinction that the PNP applied?” Ridon asked, urging the police to provide a clear explanation to Congress and the public. He maintained that the law must be enforced fairly regardless of a person’s position or influence.
metrosundaily
