SENATOR Risa Hontiveros yesterday posted a bail bond of P36,000 over her indictment for alleged violation of Republic Act 4200 or the Anti-Wiretapping Act.

The Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office filed charges against her over a leaked photo of former justice secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II texting with a certain “Cong. Jing” who was later identified as former Negros Oriental representative Jacinto “Jing” Paras.

As this developed, Presiding Judge Rechie Ramos-Malabanan of Pasay City Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 46, has ordered authorities to set aside the warrant of arrest issued against Hontiveros.

Likewise, Hontiveros’ arraignment was scheduled on January 21, 2022.

The Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office has found probable cause to indict Hontiveros saying: “(Hontiveros) willfully, unlawfully, knowingly and secretly intercept, record, possess a copy of such record, and show or communicate to other persons, the contents of the private communication without the consent of all the parties thereto to their damage and prejudice. “

Aguirre filed the criminal complaint in 2017 for violation of Republic Act No. 4200 against Hontiveros, and several ‘John Doe’ and ‘Peter Does’ before the Pasay City Prosecutors’ Office.

The wiretapping case stemmed from Hontiveros’ privilege speech on September 11, 2017 where the senator publicized a photo of Aguirre texting.

Zooming into the photo, Aguirre was shown to have texted Jing Paras, who was also a member of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption then, supposedly to expedite the cases against the lady lawmaker.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Hector Lawas