Manila, March 18 -- The Department of Justice (DOJ) has asked the Supreme Court to deny the writ of habeas corpus sought by the children of former president Rodrigo Duterte for being moot and lacking merit.
In its consolidated compliance filed by mail on March 17, the DOJ noted that the ultimate purpose of the writ of habeas corpus is "to relieve a person from unlawful restraint."
"The writ exists as a speedy and effectual remedy to relieve persons from unlawful restraint and as an effective defense of personal freedom. It is issued only for the lone purpose of obtaining relief for those illegally confined or imprisoned without sufficient legal basis. It is not issued when the person is in custody of a judicial process or a valid judgm...