UST law dean Divina, 20 other lawyers face SC probe over Castillo hazing

Camille Elemia

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UST law dean Divina, 20 other lawyers face SC probe over Castillo hazing
(UPDATED) University of Santo Tomas Law Dean Nilo Divina welcomes the opportunity to answer allegations against him, as contained in the Senate committee report

DISBARMENT. The Supreme Court says it is now investigating lawyers who are involved in the alleged cover up of the fatal hazing of Horacio 'Atio' Castillo III.

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – University of Santo Tomas Law Dean Nilo Divina and 20 other lawyer-alumni members of the Aegis Juris Fraternity are now facing Supreme Court investigation for disbarment for their alleged “cover up” of the fatal hazing of 22-year-old Horacio “Atio” Castillo III.

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, a family friend of the Castillos, announced this during the plenary session on Tuesday, February 13.

“This is a great day of justice. We received, through the office of Senator Lacson, a notice from the Supreme Court that those mentioned in the possible cover up of the Atio Castillo hazing case, that were mentioned repeatedly in FB (Facebook) posts and social media are now undergoing investigation by the Supreme Court on disbarment,” Zubiri said. 

The senator also thanked the High Court for its “swift action” following the Senate public order and dangerous drugs committee report.

The panel earlier recommended the disbarment of lawyers, who are alumni of the University of Santo Tomas-based Aegis Juris Fraternity. Some of them were involved in a Facebook group chat on the day Castillo died, which senators saw as a tool for planning the supposed cover up. (READ: What’s inside the Aegis Juris alumni chat box when Atio was killed)

“I’d like to congratulate the SC for their swift action. As soon as they received the committee report, they took cognizance and immediately approved the resolution for the investigation on the disbarment of these individuals,” the senator said.

The Castillo family were reportedly informed of the new development.

Aside from Divina, the following lawyers are also subjects of complaint, according to the SC notice sent to the Senate:

  1. Marvi Abo
  2. Alston Kevin Anarna
  3. Edzel Bert Canlas
  4. Cecilio Jimeno
  5. Ferdinand Rogelio
  6. Eric Fuentes
  7. Cesar Ocampo Ona
  8. Gaile Dante Acuzar Caraan
  9. Gem Dimaculangan
  10. Alfonso Verzosa
  11. Henry Pablo Jr
  12. Jet Dela Peña Villaroman
  13. Cesar Dela Fuente
  14. Niño Kjell Servañez
  15. Manuel Angelo Ventura III
  16. Michael Vito
  17. Arthur Capili
  18. Irvin Joseph Fabella
  19. Edwin Uy
  20. Allan Christopeher Agati

In response, Divina said he welcomed the chance to answer the allegations. He also lamented as “unfair and unjust” how his name had been dragged into the controversy.

“I welcome the opportunity to respond to the points raised in the report. I have always maintained that I did not do anything illegal or unethical,” Divina said.

“It is unfair and unjust to be dragged into this considering that by the evidence of the Senate I had no prior knowledge of the incident, was not a party to any cover up or even mentioned in the group chat,” he added.  – Rappler.com

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Camille Elemia

Camille Elemia is a former multimedia reporter for Rappler. She covered media and disinformation, the Senate, the Office of the President, and politics.