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Networking exec nabbed for estafa
Operatives of the Manila Police District arrested a networking finance officer for estafa early Friday morning along Roxas Boulevard and DJ Quintos Street. Detained at the MPD-DSOU (District Operation Unit) was the suspect, Armando Naga, 54, of Las Piñas, City. According to P/Maj. Dave Garcia, head of the DSOU, the suspect was arrested at 3 a.m. inside his room at the Diamond Hotel. Naga was arrested on the strength of a warrant of arrest issued last February by Judge Maria Luisa Lesle G. Gonzales-Betic of the Quezon RTC Branch 225. The warrant did not recommend bail for the temporary liberty of Naga, who is facing a complaint for syndicated estafa under Article 315, Paragraph 2 (A) of the Revised Penal Code. An informant tipped off the police on the whereabouts of Naga leading to his arrest. The post Networking exec nabbed for estafa appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
6 police in Navotas teen slay surrender
The six dismissed police officers implicated in the death of 17-year-old Jerhode “Jemboy” Baltazar in a case of mistaken identity have voluntarily surrendered to the authorities in Quezon province, Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief Maj. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr. said yesterday. Caramat said that six dismissed cops namely Executive Master Sgt. Roberto Dioso, Cpl. Edmard Blanco, Pat. Benedict Mangada, and Staff Sgts. Gerry Maliban, Antonio Bugayong, Jr., and Nikko Esquillon, all formerly assigned to the Navotas City police station, voluntarily surrendered around 5 p.m. Wednesday at CIDG Quezon Provincial Field Unit, Camp Guillermo Nakar, Lucena City, Quezon. Caramat said the suspects who voluntarily surrendered themselves in CIDG Quezon PFU are now undergoing the booking process and documentation for proper disposition as all accused are not entitled to bail. The Navotas City Regional Trial Court has ordered the arrest of six dismissed police officers implicated in the death of Baltazar in a case of mistaken identity last August In an order dated 3 October and made public Wednesday, RTC Branch 286 Judge Pedro Dabu Jr. said the court found probable cause to issue a warrant of arrest against Executive Master Sgt. Roberto Dioso, Cpl. Edmard Blanco, Pat. Benedict Mangada, and Staff Sgts. Gerry Maliban, Antonio Bugayong Jr. and Nikko Esquillon. “Considering that the accused stand charged with murder, they are not entitled to bail as a matter of course,” the order added. Navotas City prosecutors filed the murder complaint against the suspects on 15 September. The National Capital Region Police Office earlier approved the Philippine National Police-Internal Affairs Service’s recommendation to dismiss the respondents from the service over the killing of Baltazar. On 2 August, the police officers launched a pursuit operation against a murder suspect when they chanced upon Baltazar, who was then onboard a boat. They then commanded Baltazar and his companion to surrender. However, the victim jumped into the river, prompting law enforcers to fire resulting in his death. The police officers later admitted that Baltazar was not the suspect they were looking for but a certain Reynaldo Bolivar. The post 6 police in Navotas teen slay surrender appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
No remorse for drag artist Pura
Drag artist Pura Luka Vega has no remorse whatsoever for her controversial impersonation of the Nazareno when the Daily Tribune interviewed her inside his detention cell at MPD -PS 3 Thursday afternoon. Claiming that it was never her intention to hurt the feeling of anyone, Pura said: “I am willing to face the charges against me ‘coz I believe that I have not committed any crime,” she said. The drag artist, whose real name is Amadeus Fernando Pugante is 33 years old, male and single. He is a senior health program officer at the Department of Health and a resident of #1606 M. Hizon Street, Barangay 339, Sta. Cruz, Manila. Regente’s arrest was issued by Hon. Czarina Encarnacion Samonte-Villanueva, Presiding Judge of Regional Trial Court Branch 36 Manila dated 4 October 2023 for his immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions and indecent shows (2)(B)(3) AND (2)(3)(5) OF RPC Art. 201 as amended by P.D. 960 and PD 969 in relation to Section 6 of Republic Act 10175 with P72,000 as bail recommended. The post No remorse for drag artist Pura appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Arrested Pura Luka Vega not sorry: ‘I have not committed any crime’
Controversial drag artist Pura Luka Vega, who was arrested by the Manila Police District on 4 October based on a court warrant, maintained his innocence in an interview with Daily Tribune inside his detention cell at MPD -PS 3 on Thursday afternoon, saying it was not his intention to hurt anyone's feelings. “ I am willing to face the charges against me because I believe I have not committed any crime,” said Vega, whose real name is Amadeus Fernando Pagente, a senior health program officer of the Department of Health and and a resident of Sta Cruz, Manila. His arrest was based on the warrant of arrest issued by Judge Czarina Samonte-Villanueva of Regional Trial Court Branch 36 Manila dated 4 October 2023 for for "immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions, and indecent shows," with P72,000 as recommended bail. The warrant was issued because Pagente had not appeared at his court hearing. But the drag artist said he had not received any notice of hearing or subpoena from the court, since the notice of hearing was sent by to his old address where he no longer stayed. Pagente said he will ask the court through his lawyer for a motion to reopen the case. “Andoon na po tayo sa punto na dapat ko ihayag sa korte ang niloloob ko, that it is an art of expression as we are in the free country, and most of all I have not committed any crime.” Vega is currently detained at MPD-PS 3. The post Arrested Pura Luka Vega not sorry: ‘I have not committed any crime’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
6 cops in teenage slay ordered arrested
The Regional Trial Court of Navotas City has ordered the arrest of six policemen charged with a non-bailable case of murder for the killing of teenager Jerhode “Jemboy” Baltazar last 2 August. The order was issued last Tuesday, 3 Oct. by Judge Pedro T. Dabu Jr. of RTC Branch 286. Ordered arrested were PSSg. Gerry S. Maliban, PSSg. Antonio B. Bugayong Jr., PEMS. Roberto D. Balais Jr., PSSg. Nikko PInes C. Esquillon, PCpl. Edmar Jade S. Blanco and Pat. Benedict D. Mangada — all members of the Navotas City police station. Judge Dabu in his order said “the Court finds probable cause to issue a warrant of arrest against all the above-named accused to place them under the custody of the law in order not to frustrate the ends of justice.” “Considering that the accused stand charged with murder, they are not entitled to bail as a matter of course,” the judge also said. The Department of Justice filed the murder charges before the RTC last Monday, 2 October. Record showed that Baltazar was fishing when he was shot dead last 2 August in Barangay NBBS Kaunlaran in Navotas City. In fending off responsibilities, the policemen claimed that they were conducting follow-up operations against robbers when they mistook the victim as one of the suspects. The post 6 cops in teenage slay ordered arrested appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
6 cops in Jemboy’s death ordered arrested
A Navotas court orders the arrest of six cops involved in the killing of 17-year-old Jerhode “Jemboy” Baltazar. Those ordered arrested by virtue of a warrant issued by Navotas City Regional Trial Court Branch 286 were Police Executive Master Sergeant Roberto Balais Jr., Police Staff Sergeant Gerry Maliban, Police Staff Sergeant Antonio Bugayong, Police Staff Sergeant Nikko Esquilon, Police Corporal Edmark Jake Blanco, and Patrolman Benedict Mangada. No bail is recommended as the six suspects are facing murder charges. Baltazar died on 2 August 2023 when he was mistakenly killed in a police operation in Barangay North Bay Boulevard South Kaunlaran. The post 6 cops in Jemboy’s death ordered arrested appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
58-year-old illegal recruiter nabbed
A 58 -year-old man facing large-scale illegal recruitment charges was arrested Monday right inside the Manila Police District-PS 6 by a group of policemen who served his warrant of arrest. P/Maj. Edwin Malabanan identified the suspect as Gil Barbadillo, of 1644 Neptuno Street, Barangay 813 District V, Paco, Manila. It was learned that the warrant of arrest was served at 12:30 noontime at the earlier mentioned police station. No bail was recommended by Presiding Judge Renato Enciso, of Manila RTC Branch 12 for the temporary freedom of the suspect. He is presently detained at the Sta. Ana Police Station Custodial Facility, is while awaiting for the commitment order to be issued by the judge. The post 58-year-old illegal recruiter nabbed appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
CIDG nabs 6 suspects in missing cockfighters case
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group on Friday arrested six suspects in the case of missing 'sabungeros' (cockfighting enthusiasts) in Parañaque City, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said on Friday. According to CIDG chief Maj. Gen. Brig. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr., the CIDG Region 4A arrested Julie Patidongan alias Dondon, Mark Carlo Zabala, Roberto Matillano Jr., Johnny Consolacion, Virgilio Bayog and Gleer Codilla at around 1:45 p.m. at Jackielou Village and Fortunata Village, both in Parañaque City, based on the arrest warrant for kidnapping and serious illegal detention issued by Regional Trial Court NCJR Branch 40, Manila, dated 24 January 2023, with no bail recommended. Acorda said aside from the six suspects, two companions of the suspects identified as Melchor Neri and Victorino Diocoso were also arrested for obstruction of justice. “I hope that with the arrest of these suspects, those who were reportedly backing out as witnesses may reconsider their position, and I do believe the case is still strong. We have enough evidence to continue with the case,” Acorda said in a press briefing held at Camp Crame. Acorda said the CIDG created Special Investigation Task Group “Sabungero” on 24 January 2022 to focus on the reported missing sabungeros. Based on the agency's investigation, at least 34 sabungeros have been reported missing as of this date. “I would like to commend the CIDG for their unrelenting efforts that led to the arrest of the six suspects. We hope that their arrest will give assurance to the families that the PNP have not reneged on their commitment to pursue this case until justice is served,” said Acorda. The Department of Justice has offered a P6 million reward for any information on the arrest of the six suspects. Acorda said that because police officers are not allowed to receive rewards and this goes to the action agents, the informants who are instrumental in their arrest will receive the reward, with the hope that this will convince others to support the PNP in manhunt operations against other wanted persons. A separate case for kidnapping and serious illegal detention was also filed by CIDG in relation to the case of the missing master agent of online "sabong" Ricardo Lasco, who was reportedly abducted on 30 August 2021 in San Pablo, Laguna. So far, the criminal complaints filed by the CIDG in the Manila Arena case and the case of Lasco have been found by the courts to have probable cause, resulting in the indictment of respondents through the issuance of arrest warrants. The post CIDG nabs 6 suspects in missing cockfighters case appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Public smoking causes arrest
Operatives of the Manila Police District-Police Station 8 arrested a 24-year-old man who violated a city ordinance against smoking in public Monday morning in Sta. Mesa Manila. P/Lt. Col. Dionelle Brannon, PS8 Station Commander, identified the suspect as Ezra John Villanueva y Yumang, male, 24 years old, single, BPO employee and resident of Bldg A ,Unit 516 El Pueblo, Anonas Sta,Mesa, Manila. Yumang was nabbed in front of Building A, Unit 516 El Pueblo, Anonas Sta. Mesa, Manila Monday at about 11:45 a.m. The suspect was arrested on the strength of a warrant of arrest for the crime of Violation of Section 5, par (a) of City Ordinance No.671,S-2017 as amended by City Ordinance No. 730, S-2019 (Comprehensive Smoke Free Ordinance) issued by Hon. Karyn Lee Tribaco, presiding Judge of MTC Branch C (100), Mandaluyong City with P2,000 bail recommended on his case. The suspect is presently detained at the MPD-PS 8 detention pending the return of warrant of arrest to the issuing judge. The post Public smoking causes arrest appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Manila cops nab wanted rapist
After six years in hiding, a wanted rapist in Biliran province was tracked down by MPD-DelPan police operatives early dawn on Saturday in Tondo, Manila. P/BGen Andrei Dizon, MPD Chief, identified the suspect as Gonzalo Esperanza, 63 years old, single, male, jobless, and resident of Purok 5, Isla Puting Bato, Parola Compound in Tondo, Manila. The suspect was apprehended near his residence. The arrest came on the strength of a warrant of arrest issued by Presiding Judge Bienvenido Montalla of RTC Branch 16 in Naval, Biliran, dated 30 August 2017, with no recommended bail for charges of three counts of rape. Presently the suspect is under the custody of MPD-Del Pan, pending the transfer to Kawayan MPS, Biliran PPO, PRO8. The post Manila cops nab wanted rapist appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Vloggers warned: Watch what you’re posting
Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. reminded vloggers and content creators to be responsible in creating videos that they upload on social media and never to make jokes about crimes as they could be held accountable for tumultuous and other disturbances of public order. Acorda made the remark after rapid and resolute response to a highly controversial viral video. The PNP has taken into custody three individuals identified as Mark San Rafael, Mark Lester San Rafael and Eleazar Steven Fuentes all legal ages, have been apprehended on Aug. 1 based on a warrant of arrest on charges of Violation of RPC Art. 513 (Alarm and Scandal) as per Criminal Case No. 83313. “The PNP remains steadfast in upholding the law and ensuring that individuals are held accountable for their deeds. Pranks that induce panic and disrupt public order cannot be taken lightly. We commend our personnel for their swift action in this instance, “ Acorda said in a statement. The controversial case centers around their involvement in a staged kidnapping prank, which triggered widespread public outrage and concern. The incident, which happened 6 April, came under intense scrutiny following the dissemination of a viral video by the vlogger known as “TOKOMI.” The video portrayed a meticulously orchestrated kidnapping scenario. Staff Sergeant Ronnie Conmigo, a dedicated member of the PNP assigned to PNP IMEG, played a pivotal role in unraveling the prank and formally lodging a complaint against the responsible parties. The video, posted by the vlogger under the pseudonym “Tukomi Blog,” depicted a sophisticated fake kidnapping episode that transpired along Saging Street, Phase 2, Barangay CAA. Criminal complaint The ensuing public uproar prompted Conmigo to initiate a criminal complaint for Alarm and Scandal, subsequently filed before the Office of the City Prosecutor on 11 April 2023. The wheels of justice continued to turn, culminating in the issuance of an Arrest Warrant by Judge Lynnette May D. Deloria-Manarang of Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 124, Las Piñas City. Throughout the arrest process, the PNP meticulously adhered to prescribed protocols, capturing crucial incidents through body-worn cameras and alternate recording devices in accordance with the Rules on the Use of Body-Worn Cameras in Warrant Execution. Following the due legal procedures and bail payment, the accused were granted release from custody on 2 August 2023, as directed by Presiding Judge Lynnette May D. Deloria-Manarang of Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 124. As the legal proceedings continue to unfold, the arraignment of the accused is scheduled for 10 August at 2 p.m, before Judge Deloria-Manarang at MTC Branch 124. Acorda said this incident serves as a poignant reminder of the imperative for responsible online conduct and the far-reaching consequences arising from flouting the law. He said the PNP’s decisive and principled action in this case unequivocally underscores its unwavering commitment to preserving public safety and order in the digital age. The post Vloggers warned: Watch what you’re posting appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Las Piñas man collared for child abuse
A joint operation by the Station Intelligence Section and the Women and Children Protection Desk of the Las Piñas City Police Station led to the arrest of the most wanted man in the city for August. The suspect, identified as Edward Treyes, alias Negro, 22, was nabbed along Madrigal Compound in Barangay Daniel Fajardo at around 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Treyes was apprehended based on a warrant of arrest for violation of Republic Act 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act. The warrant was issued by Judge Elizabeth Yu Guray of Regional Trial Court Branch 202 of Las Piñas City on 11 June 2023. The recommended bail was set by Judge Guray at P200,000. Treyes was detained at the Station Custodial Facility in Las Piñas City. The police did not report what kind of abuse the suspect was being charged with. RA 7610 is a law that seeks to protect children from abuse, exploitation and discrimination. It defines child abuse as “the maltreatment, whether habitual or not, of a child by any person who has care or custody of the child, under circumstances which could produce physical, emotional or sexual harm.” The law also prohibits the exploitation of children in any form, including child labor, child prostitution and child pornography. The post Las Piñas man collared for child abuse appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Man who ‘raped’ own daughters collared
A 40-year-old man wanted for raping his own daughters was arrested by the police in a manhunt operation in Antipolo City Wednesday afternoon. The suspect, identified as Carlito Sacdalan, alias Tolits, a resident of Barangay San Luis, Antipolo City, is listed as No. 3 most wanted in the Calabarzon Region. He is accused of raping his two daughters — then 17 years old and 12 years old — while his wife was working abroad in 2016. According to the victims, they were repeatedly raped by their father. One of them got pregnant after the rape. The rape was discovered when the victims’ mother went home and found out that her eldest daughter was pregnant. Since then, the accused went into hiding after finding out that his daughters reported the incident to their mother. The accused was apprehended by joint operatives of the Antipolo City Police Station’s Warrant Section and CIDG Rizal PFU through a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Gay Marie Lubigan-Rafael of Antipolo City Regional Trial Court Branch 73 for five counts of qualified statutory rape, qualified rape and statutory rape with no bail recommended. The post Man who ‘raped’ own daughters collared appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
MPD tracks man at quarantine facility
The Manila Police District reported on Friday that tracker teams from Police Station 10 was able to find a wanted online tutor for 29 counts of qualified theft detained inside the Quezon City Jail Covid-19 quarantine facility. Police identified the suspect as Arianne Wayan, a resident of Pandacan, Manila who was arrested on the strength of a warrant of arrest issued by Quezon City Judge Maria Luisa Lesle Gonzales-Betic of RTC Branch 225 dated 29 September 2022. Wayan was ordered by the court to post P40,000 bail for the charges of 29 counts of Qualified theft of the Article 310 of the Revised Penal Code. It was learned that the suspect was infected by Covid-19 and is confined at the facility. The suspect remains at the quarantine facility while police are preparing the necessary commit order upon the return of the warrant of arrest. The post MPD tracks man at quarantine facility appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Long arm of law catches up on woman
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — A 35-year-old woman found herself in the grasp of the law after eluding capture for six long years in connection to a case involving human trafficking. Michelle Gardoce, a resident of Taytay in northern Palawan, experienced a stroke of misfortune when she visited the local police station seeking a routine clearance, only to have her name trigger an alarm in the system, revealing an outstanding warrant for her arrest. It was at the Puerto Princesa City Police Station 1 where personnel, under the command of Major Pearl Manyll Marzo, apprehended Gardoce on 14 July at approximately 5:15 p.m. She was in the midst of applying for a police clearance when her past caught up with her. Captain Maria Victoria Iquin, the spokesperson for the Puerto Princesa City Police Office, said Friday that Gardoce was being sought for violating the provisions of Republic Act 9208, also known as the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003. The warrant of arrest against her pertaining to the offenses stated in Section 2 and Section 4(a) of the aforementioned legislation. “When a person’s name triggers an alert while obtaining a police clearance, it is promptly verified in the system for any outstanding warrant or the issuing authority is contacted. In this case, a positive match was found, leading to her immediate arrest, especially since it was a non-bailable offense. Perhaps she believed she would never be caught, considering the warrant was issued back in 2016. It took almost six years before she was apprehended,” explained Iquin. Section 4 of the law encompasses a range of prohibited activities linked to human traffickings, such as recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, provision, or receipt of individuals through various means, including disguising it as employment, training, or apprenticeship, both locally and overseas. The ultimate intention is to engage these individuals in illicit activities, including but not limited to prostitution, pornography, sexual exploitation, forced labor, slavery, involuntary servitude, or debt bondage. Given the severity of the charges against Gardoce, the court did not recommend bail, thereby denying her temporary freedom. She presently remains in the custody of City Police Station 1, awaiting further legal proceedings. The warrant for her arrest was issued on 28 June 2016 by Judge Ana Castillo of Branch 29, a trial court within the National Capital Judicial Region, situated in Metro Manila. She will soon face the issuing court, where her case will be appropriately addressed. The post Long arm of law catches up on woman appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
De Lima drug case has new judge
A new Muntinlupa judge will handle the hearings of the last remaining drug case of former Senator Leila de Lima. Presiding Judge Gener Gito of the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 206 will hear case 17-167. The case landed at the sala of Gito after two judges who previously handled it inhibited themselves from further hearing it due to petitions by De Lima’s co-accused and government prosecutors. The previous judge assigned to the case was relieved from it based on a circular issued by the Office of the Court Administrator in November 2019, which revoked the “designations as acting presiding judges and assisting judges outside their respective regions.” Gito will handle the case of De Lima after Presiding Judge Romeo Buenaventura of the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 256 inhibited himself from the case. In a 7 June decision, Buenaventura denied the petitions and motions for bail filed by De Lima and co-accused former Bureau of Corrections director Franklin Jesus Bucayu, Ronnie Dayan, Joenel Sanchez and Jose Adrian Dera. Bucayu, Dayan, and Sanchez was prompted to file motions asking the judge to inhibit himself from hearing the case due to conflict of interest. After Buenaventura, the case was raffled off to Presiding Judge Abraham Joseph Alcantara of the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 204. But government prosecutors filed a motion asking Alcantara to inhibit from the case. The post De Lima drug case has new judge appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Wanted ‘rapist’ collared
A 35-year-old man who is wanted for the crime of rape was arrested by virtue of warrant of arrest in Pasig City on Tuesday afternoon. The accused was identified only as alias Koykoy, a resident of Barangay San Joaquin, Pasig City. Alias Koykoy was apprehended by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Agnes Reyes-Carpio of Pasig City Regional Trial Court Branch 261 for the crime of rape with no bail recommended. He was nabbed by the San Joaquin Police Sub-Station 4 tracker team at about 11:50 p.m. at Villa Tupaz Street in Barangay San Joaquin. The accused is temporarily detained at the Pasig City Police Station custodial facility while awaiting commitment order from the issuing court. The post Wanted ‘rapist’ collared appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Contempt raps vs De Lima, Risa urged
Atty. Ferdinand Topacio filed a petition for indirect contempt against seven persons that include detained former Senator Leila de Lima, Senator Risa Hontiveros and Rep. Edcel Lagman in connection with their statements to the media relating to the last remaining drug case before the Muntinlupa court by the former lawmaker. Topacio, a member of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption and national chairman of the Citizens Crime Watch, filed the case yesterday before the Muntinlupa Office of the Clerk of Court against De Lima, Hontiveros, Lagman, Cristina Palabay, Renato Reyes and lawyers Filibon Tacardon, De Lima’s legal counsel, and Dino de Leon. He claimed the media statements and interviews of the said personalities regarding case 17-167 against De Lima, which is pending before the Muntinlupa RTC Branch 256, violated the sub judice rule that “restricts comments and disclosures pertaining to the judicial proceedings in order to avoid prejudging the issue, influencing the court, or obstructing the administration of justice.” Topacio said “The restriction applies to litigants and witnesses, the public in general, and most especially to members of the Bar and the Bench.” Under case 17-167, filed by the Department of Justice in 2017, De Lima and others are accused of conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading. Romeo Buenaventura, the judge who was handling the case recently inhibited himself from further hearing it. Before this, he denied the petitions for bail by De Lima and her co-accused. The petition stated that it is assailing specifically the contemptuous conduct of respondents in making public comments regarding the case of Atty. Leila de Lima which tends to impede, obstruct, or degrade the administration of justice. It also said the VACC “has been instrumental in the filing of the above-mentioned criminal case against respondent Leila M. de Lima which is pending before Regional Trial Court of Muntinlupa City.” “During the pendency of the above-mentioned case, respondents uttered several public statements which clearly tend to bring the court into disrepute or disrespect simply because a ruling was made contrary to what they want,” it added. The petition said that De Lima on her Facebook account, made a public comment regarding the denial of her bail which tends to challenge the wisdom of the ruling of the Honorable Court. Under Section 7 of Rule 71 of the Rules of Court, “If the respondent is adjudged guilty of indirect contempt committed against a Regional Trial Court or a court of equivalent or higher rank, he may be punished by a fine not exceeding thirty thousand pesos or imprisonment not exceeding six months, or both.” The post Contempt raps vs De Lima, Risa urged appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Sustain Dermalog warrants, CA asked
One of Dermalog’s joint venture agreement partners has urged the Court of Appeals to sustain the arrest warrants issued by Branch 224 of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court to detain four company officials in connection with a case for estafa. Verzontal Builders Inc. filed the petition before the CA in connection with the case it brought against the respondents in September 2021. The company claimed that after finishing their obligations under the JVA, it has not received from Dermalog the entire amount agreed upon as payment. Dermalog was accused by Verzontal of theft in the amount of P797,505,023. A German biometrics company, Dermalog served as the IT provider of the Land Transportation Office related to its driver’s licensing system. The prosecutor did not recommend bail for the respondents’ temporary release from custody due to the size of the amount. RTC Judge Zita Marie Magundayao Atienza-Fajardo ordered the arrest of Dermalog officials Gunther Mill, Randolf Sitz, Michael Schutt and Lynne Ocampo. Dermalog representatives were compelled but failed to appear before the Senate Blue Ribbon conducting public hearings on problems facing the LTO’s IT platform, including delays in the provision of services and alleged undue fees. The last hearing of the Senate committee snubbed by Dermalog was last 8 June. Its officials were in Germany, according to its lawyer. Dermalog, the senators noted, is also facing allegations of wrongdoings in Indonesia, Angola, and Haiti. The LTO’s IT contract is currently being audited by the Commission on Audit to see if the problems auditors identified in the 2021 audit report had been fixed. The post Sustain Dermalog warrants, CA asked appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Muntinlupa judge inhibits from De Lima case
Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court Branch 256 Presiding Judge Romeo Buenaventura announced on Friday that he decided to inhibit from handling the remaining illegal drug charges against former Senator Leila de Lima. In a seven-page order dated 15 June 2023, the judge expressed his decision to recuse, stating that the suspicions raised by the accused, although baseless and maybe contrived, have tainted the court’s integrity and impartiality. He also emphasized the need to uphold trust and confidence in all future proceedings related to the case. “For this reason, the undersigned Presiding Judge will exercise his discretion and will recuse himself from further hearing this case not because the allegations are true, but because it is his avowed duty as member of the Bench to promote confidence in the judicial system,” Buenaventura said. Earlier, Joenel Sanchez, Ronnie Dayan, and Franklin Bucayu in their respective motion requested Judge Buenaventura’s immediate withdrawal from the case, alleging that he is the brother of Atty. Emmanuel Buenaventura, who purportedly assisted Dayan in one of his affidavits, later claiming coercion. Sanchez also revealed that Atty. Buenaventura had served as a legal adviser to the late Mindoro Congressman Reynaldo Umali during congressional hearings on the alleged drug trade at Bilibid. He asserted that Judge Buenaventura failed to disclose his relationship with Atty. Buenaventura. Buenaventura on 7 June issued a 35-page order denying de Lima’s request for bail. The court deemed her experience of being taken hostage as “injurious to health” or a threat to her life unlike in other bail cases. However, the judge clarified that evaluating the strength of the evidence does not predetermine the final outcome of the case. To recall, the Department of Justice filed the charges against De Lima alleging her involvement in the illegal drug trade during her tenure as justice secretary under the Aquino administration. Since 2017, the former lawmaker was detained at the Philippine National Police-Custodial Center in Quezon City. The post Muntinlupa judge inhibits from De Lima case appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»