By Czarina Nicole Ong
The Sandiganbayan Sixth Division has ordered the issuance of a subpoena calling on news anchor Erwin Tulfo to testify in a case - not in relation to any of his latest controversies, but to attend the hearing of a former Makati City prosecutor who has been slapped with breach of conduct and bribery charges.
(MANILA BULLETIN)
The subpoena is for Tulfo and his camera guy, Arnel Tugade, to attend the hearing of Rocky Flores Caponong on Monday, September 17.
Caponong was accused of violating Section 7(d) of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees and Article 210 of the Revised Penal Code.
On May 24, 2012, Caponong reportedly took advantage of his position when he accepted money from Herminio Sablawan Jr., a complainant in a reckless imprudence case resulting in damage to property against a driver of JAC Liner.
The said case was then pending for preliminary investigation before Caponong's office.
Caponong reportedly received money on three separate dates - P500 on May 17, 2012, P1,000 on May 23, 2012, and P5,000 on May 24, 2012. The money given to him was in exchange for a favorable resolution in the above-mentioned case.
However, this was not accomplished in view of Caponong's arrest during the entrapment operation conducted by the Philippine National Police (PNP) Intelligence Group.
Despite the subpoena for both men, only Tugade was served since Tulfo is no longer working for TV5.
The Sandiganbayan needed their testimonies since they were the ones who covered the said entrapment operation, which took place in Makati City on May 24, 2012.