SC junks disbarment case vs Miriam

The Supreme Court has junked the second disbarment complaint filed against Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago by a person who she claims to have been hired to "assassinate" her character. A statement released by Santiago's office on Friday said the SC second division issued its resolution on August 2, where the disbarment case filed by lawyer Bonifacio Alentajan was dismissed for "lack of substance." At the same time, the statement quoted Santiago as saying that Alentajan was a lawyer hired by a certain public official to "assassinate" her character. She likewise said the petitioner engaged in "forum-shopping" — looking for a judge or a court that is deemed likely to make a favorable decision — in order to harass her. During her campaign, Santiago hinted that Alentajan was hired by former Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, whom she has repeatedly accused of corruption in privilege speeches delivered in the Senate. Santiago explained that Alentajan's petition was "identical" to the first disbarment case filed against her by a certain Efren Battad. The case was dismissed by the same SC division for lack of merit. Battad accused Santiago of graft and corruption; obstruction of apprehension and prosecution of a criminal offense; unparliamentary behavior; having an unsound mind; and accumulating unexplained wealth. The same arguments were also used by a lawyer named Nombraan Pangcoga in his disqualification case filed against Santiago with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) during the last polls. The Comelec eventually dismissed the petition. Santiago is currently on leave from her duties at the Senate supposedly due to complications from hypothyroidism. — Kimberly Jane Tan/RSJ/JV, GMANews.TV