Willy Ramasola
By DAVE SUAN ALBARADO
Emmanuel Bongcac “Willy” Ramasola has been charged with indirect contempt before a trial court in the National Capital Region (NCR).
The charge was filed at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court, after Ramasola claimed in a news article and on social media that there were “irregularities” in the issuance of his arrest warrants.
He alleged that someone had influenced the court to expedite the process of issuing the warrants.
The petition, filed by Bohol First District Rep. Edgar M. Chatto, accused Ramasola of implying that the arrest warrants were obtained through illegal means, and of undermining the judicial process, which are grounds for indirect contempt.
Indirect contempt, as defined by Section 3(d), Rule 71 of the A.M. No. 19-10-20-SC or the 2019 Amendments to the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure, is any improper conduct that directly or indirectly hinders, obstructs, or degrades the administration of justice.
The petition also stressed that while the right to criticize judicial bodies is respected, it must be done in proper and respectful terms and through legitimate channels.
It pointed out that the Supreme Court has ruled that freedom of speech is not absolute, and that it must sometimes be weighed against other equally important public interests, such as the integrity of the courts and the smooth functioning of the administration of justice.
CONTEMPT FACTOR
Ramasola, who is already facing multiple cyber libel charges from other complainants, said he was surprised by the issuance of a warrant of arrest, as he was preparing to file a motion for reconsideration for the case.
In a statement posted on Facebook, he said he was not given the usual ten days to file the motion, and that the case information was forwarded to the court without waiting for his response.
He also said he was not ready to surrender, as he had to secure several documents and requirements for his bail, such as a copy of the information, a copy of the warrant, a barangay clearance, pictures, and a motion to bail.
He added that he filed a motion to reduce the bail, which was granted on Thursday, but he was not able to process it until Friday due to some issues.
He denied that he was in hiding, saying he still attended meetings and went to a mall, but he did not sleep at home because police and CIDG were stationed in his office and condo.
He said he felt that he was being trailed by the police, especially when he checked out from a hotel on Friday morning and saw someone who looked like a police or agent.
He said he confirmed his suspicion when he went to visit a church and was asked to go to court to present himself.
Ramasola said he noticed a white car following him while he was driving to Quezon City Hall of Justice.
He said he arrived at the court with all the documents ready, and he signed and put his fingerprints on them. He said he submitted 2×2 pictures, so there was no police mugshot.
He said the judge did not issue a release order, because he was not detained, noting it was only an order to accept the bail and set aside the warrant.