Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday, Aug. 9, expressed her deep concern over the arrest of former vice presidential candidate and Akbayan party-list Rep. Walden Bello.

In a Facebook post, Hontiveros described her longtime comrade and friend as a “leading public intellectual and a steadfast campaigner for justice and human rights”.

She said critical voices like the former solon are “essential to any democracy”.

“While Walden and I could sometimes disagree, he will always have a special place in my heart. Now more than ever, we need more people like him, whose genuine commitment to freedom and democracy is beyond question,” Hontiveros shared.

The Senator then called the government to ensure that there will be a fair and transparent investigation in the case.

Bello was arrested by the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) on Monday for cyber libel filed by Former Davao City Information Office Jerry Tupas.

In the warrant of arrest issued by Davao City Regional Trial Court Branch 10 Judge Retrina Espe-Fuentes, Bello is charged with two offenses: libel under Republic Act 10175 and Cyberlibel Prevention Act of 2012.

The bail for the release is set at Php 48,000 each.

Leody De Guzman, Bello’s former running mate, visited him in Camp Karingal on Monday.

De Guzman denounced Bello’s arrest and urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) to intervene and revoke the warrant.