Update on Karnation 20: Four Karnation Workers Still Detained. Pansy Put Pressure on Judge to Revoke Bail Grant

Four out of the twenty Karnation workers are still detained despite the Rizal Regional Trial Court’s (RTC) decision to grant bail last November 20, 2009.

Just when Joseph Atienza, 26, Pulido Baguno, 33, Claridad Claro, 31 and Andy Salarzon, 31, thought that freedom awaits them as 2010 dawns, the RTC, under Judge Ma. Teresa San-Gabriel, put on hold the release of the remaining workers following the motion for reconsideration (MR) filed by the complainants, Pansy Corporation, last December 28, 2009.

In the complainants’ 12-page MR, they demanded that the bail grant be abolished arguing that the case of serious illegal detention is a non-bailable crime. Following this, they assailed the court for allowing the workers to pay the P60 000 bail only through a surety bond. This decision, according to the MR, “jeopardizes the security and safety of the private complainants.”

Meanwhile, Andy Salarzon, continue to suffer symptoms of respiratory ailments such as difficulty of breathing and numbing inside the prison. It can be recalled that two of the twenty detained Karnation workers already died due to respiratory complications brought about by severe prison conditions. (See related article and video clipping)

Judge to inhibit?

In the hearing of the complainants’ MR last January 11, the complainants further attacked the courts’ decision to grant bail asking why the case has changed course radically, now favoring the workers. Judge San Gabriel, having been put under pressure by the complainants, lamented that perhaps she must inhibit from the case if doubts in her capability and credibility persist.

Atty. Remigio Saladero, lawyer of the Karnation 20, on the other hand, said that the judge’s inhibition from the case was unnecessary since the decisions were plainly based on the merits of the case and evidences presented by both parties.

Uphold the decision

Daisy Arago, executive director of CTUHR who assists the workers in the said case, appeals to the RTC not to hold the decision to grant bail even amidst the “pressure tactics” of Pansy Corporation. “The [remaining] Karnation workers should be temporarily released based on the prior decision of the judge.” Arago said.

“We are alarmed about the pressure tactics being employed by the complainants on Judge San Gabriel. The company is obviously using its economic position to force the court to make decisions favorable on its side. The workers have already suffered more than two years in jail for an allegation the complainants can barely prove. We clearly see no bias in the judge’s decision to grant bail [to the workers]. The four should be released the way the 14 others had been given temporary freedom,” Arago added.#