THE LEGAL counsel of UST Civil Law Dean Nilo Divina dismissed allegations against him in relation to the fraternity hazing death of UST law freshman Horacio “Atio” Castillo III as mostly “based on speculations.”
Lawyer Estrella Elamparo said Divina’s legal team was “very confident” there was no legal basis even for a disbarment case being sought by senators who investigated the death.
“If you read the Senate report, most of the allegations, if not all, against Dean Divina are based on speculations,” Estrella told the Varsitarian in an interview last Feb. 13.
Elamparo said senators only recommended the disbarment case to the Supreme Court to emphasize the code of conduct followed by lawyers.
“What the Senate is saying is their (fraternity law alumni) conduct, in relation to the hazing if any, may reflect also on their conduct as members of the bar. So that’s worth looking into,” she said.
READ: Senate wants UST law dean disbarred for ‘mockery of the legal profession’ in Atio’s death
Elamparo said it must be established that the lawyers of the Aegis Juris — the fraternity implicated in Atio’s death — who were included in the complaint knew about the hazing and failed to report the matter.
“[The Senate report] actually says that the Supreme Court should look into the disbarment cases to be filed against the Aegis Juris members and alumni who knew about the hazing and failed to report, but not directly Dean Divina,” she added.
The Civil Law dean had found it “unfair” to be dragged in the disbarment proceedings, pointing out that he had exerted efforts to help in the investigation.
Divina pointed out that he was not involved in online messaging groups of fraternity alumni that discussed steps to be taken following Castillo’s death.
READ: ‘Unfair’ to be included in disbarment proceedings – Divina
The Supreme Court has begun a probe into Divina and 20 other lawyers, all alumni of the Aegis Juris Fraternity, after the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs on Jan. 24 recommended their disbarment.
In an en banc resolution released on Feb. 6, the Supreme Court required all 21 respondents, including Divina and Faculty Secretary Arthur Capili, to comment on the matter within 10 days.
A Senate probe found that Aegis Juris alumni agreed to cover up Castillo’s death and even coordinated through an online messaging application.
