A bench warrant has been issued by Acting Presiding Judge Arnel Dirempillo of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities, Branch 2, Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental, for the arrest of Charlotte Dumanjug Panal, the suspended Mayor of Tambulig, Zamboanga Del Sur on multiple charges of violating Batas Pambansa Blg 22(). The warrant covers eight counts of this offense, and authorities are actively seeking the accused who is believed to be in New Village, Tambulig, Zamboanga Del Sur.
The charges against Charlotte D. Panal stem from alleged failures to appear before the court on scheduled hearings related to Criminal Case Nos. 10929-MTC, 11064-MTC, 11034-MTC, 11050-MTC, 11054-MTC, 11055-MTC, and 11056-MTC. The offenses pertain to violations of Batas Pambansa Blg 22(), which deals with bouncing checks.
The bail amount for Charlotte D. Panal’s release has been set for each of the eight counts. This bail can be furnished either by the accused themselves or a bondsman, in accordance with various options outlined by the Rules of Court. It is intended to ensure the accused’s appearance before the court as required.
In addition to the standard arrest procedures, law enforcement officers are mandated to employ body-worn cameras and alternative recording devices during the execution of this warrant. This measure is in line with the Rules on the Use of Body-Worn Cameras in the Execution of Warrants (A.M. No. 21-06-08-SC), a Supreme Court directive that came into effect on August 1, 2021, aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability during such operations.
Authorities are now actively working to locate and apprehend the Suspended Mayor of Tambulig, Zamboanga Del Sur- Charlotte Dumanjug Panal to bring them before the court to face the charges filed against them in this legal matter.
This development underscores the commitment of the Philippine justice system to uphold the rule of law and ensure that individuals facing legal proceedings are brought to justice, as prescribed by the law.
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