Solon vows to help Barrameda family in quest for justice

Gabriela party-list Rep. Liza Maza yesterday pledged support to the Barrameda family in seeking justice for the brutal murder of Ruby Rose Barrameda-Jimenez as she expressed her condolences to the family of the victim.

“The brutal killing of Ruby Rose is an extreme case of violence against women. We condemn in the strongest terms this inhumane act. Murderers of Ruby Rose should be punished in no time,” Maza said.

Maza believes that despite the existence of the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act of 2004, women continue to face grave abuses and violations of their rights.

The lawmaker was one of the co-authors of Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act of 2004.

The Gabriela solon particularly raised the question over the decision of Las Piñas Judge Cynthia Aglugob to give the custody of the Jimenez daughters to the victim’s husband, Manuel Jimenez III, citing Article 363 of the Civil Code of the Philippines that states “In all questions on the care, custody, education and property of children the latter’s welfare shall be paramount. No mother shall be separated from her child under 7 years of age, unless the court finds compelling reasons for such measure.”

Ruby Rose filed a petition for the writ of habeas corpus for the custody of her children before she had gone missing.

“By law, automatic custody, especially of her 4-month-old baby at the least should have been given to the mother as the rightful parent-guardian. We find it highly irregular why the judge favored giving custody of the child to Manuel Jimenez III. Has there been any proof that Ruby Rose is an unfit parent? Or is it because of the alleged influence and wealth of the Jimenez family?” Maza said.

Prior to the filing of the writ, Ruby Rose filed a petition seeking a temporary protection order accusing her husband of beating her up.