VILLAR HAILS SATUR RELEASE FROM JAIL

Senate President Manny Villar today hailed the decision of the Supreme Court to allow the release from the Manilla police jail Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, saying it would contribute largely to the easing up of political tension in the country in the run up for the May 14 elections.

Villar said the Courts decision and Ocampos release from detention is proof that the democratic principles of check and balance is well functioning in the Philippine setting.

It shows that the democratic institutions are functioning, and we have an effective mechanism for ensuring that the constitutional to due process and civil liberties of citizens are protected, Villar said.

Villar said it was also worth mentioning that Ocampo has stuck out with the system.

That Satur chose to fight it out through the legal and constitutional way is a testament to his being a true advocate of freedom and democratic ideals, Villar said.