Pubdate: Wed, 08 Feb 2006
Source: Sun.Star Cebu (Philippines)
Copyright: 2006 Sun.Star
Contact:  http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1690
Author: LCR
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines

MAYOR TO CARILLO: DON'T USE INFLUENCE IN DEFENDING DRUG SUSPECT

Cebu City Mayor Osmena yesterday warned a city councilor not to use
his influence in defending a suspected drug user who was arrested last
week.

Osmena said he is not sure if there are policies that prohibit lawyers
in the City Council from defending drug suspects, but added that
Carillo should not use his position to get in the way.

"If he can or he is defending drug suspects, I will not allow his
position in the government to interfere in the due process. I don't
know if there's a conflict of interest but very clearly, I will not
allow him to use his office or the police to give special favors to
his clients," the mayor said.

Suspected drug user Ronald Dimaisip, the husband of Carillo's close
friend and election campaigner, was arrested by barangay tanods in
Busay last Jan. 27 for alleged possession of marijuana.

Carillo said he offered to help Dimaisip free of charge because he
believes the man is innocent and was only mistaken for a user by the
arresting officers.

He assured he will not use his office to get favorable results in the
case.

"I strongly uphold that those who peddle drugs should be charged and
penalized but I also believe that those who are innocent are equally
protected by the law. I don't think what I'm doing violates anything,"
Carillo told reporters yesterday.

He said that under the law, lawyers who are members of the city
council are still allowed to practice their profession unless the case
is against the local government they represent.

Carillo said, though, that his services are limited to assisting
Dimaisip while he is under police custody. He will no longer represent
Dimaisip during trial, he said.

Innocent

The councilor said he believes Dimaisip is innocent because he tested
negative for marijuana and shabu after his arrest.

Dimaisip was arrested after he tried to interfere in the arrest of his
colleague JP Cabahug, who allegedly had in his possession some
marijuana sticks at the time of the arrest.

The two were manning the sound system during a fiesta celebration in
Busay when they were caught.

"He only tried to ask the tanods the basis for the arrest of his
friend but he was mistaken as an accomplice and was also arrested. If
he were guilty, he would have run away from the officers but he even
approached them... I cannot allow an innocent guy to be placed behind
bars," Carillo said. 
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MAP posted-by: Tom