from the Vera Files: Ex-UP Collegian editor at NKI on conditional release

FORMER University of the Philippines Collegian Editor Ericson “Eric” Acosta, political prisoner under the democratically elected Aquino administration, flew back safely to Manila early Friday after close to two years of detention at a Samar sub-provincial jail.

He was immediately taken to the National Kidney Institute for renal treatment in Quezon City.

Up to late the Thursday night in Calbayog City, the office of Gov. Mila Tan and provincial jail warden Victor Templonuevo tried to delay the conditional release of Acosta.

The same warden tried to also stall the release by first demanding that two more jail guards escort Acosta to the NKI.. Then he demanded that the accompanying party wait for proper travel and mission orders for the escorts to come from Catbalogan, which is 72.5 kms away.

Chief Persida Rudea Acosta (not related to the detainee) of the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) scolded Templonuevo over the phone, reminding him that the the judiciary is above any local government executive or a military commander. Thus, the ruling in favor of Acosta could not be overturned by a governor or even a general. (read more . . . )

from the Vera Files: The Ericson Acosta story: Running home, almost free

Two unrelated Acostas (Eric and Persida) confer about his illegal possession of explosives case (photo courtesy of the Vera files)

CALBAYOG CITY, Samar—Political prisoner Ericson “Eric” Acosta, who had long stopped counting the days he had spent in jail at this city’s sub-provincial jail in Western Samar, was sprung an unanticipated pre-Valentine gift on Thursday: The court allowed the poet-composer and former Philippine Collegian editor to leave jail on early Friday to fly to Manila on humanitarian grounds.

(Acosta is expected to arrive in Manila at 8:15 a.m. on Friday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.)

Chief Public Attorney Persida Rueda-Acosta (not a relative of the accused) quickly moved for Acosta’s temporary release before the Gandara regional trial court after a medico-legal consultant of the Public Attorney’s Office examined him and found he has nephritis, a condition characterized by blood in the urine (hematuria), lower back pains, high fever and painful urination (dysuria), all of which require urgent confinement. (read more . . . )