As progressive lawmakers decried the dismissal of the drug case against Julian Roberto S. Ongpin, former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile congratulated the La Union judge who cleared the son of business tycoon Roberto Ongpin.
Regional Trial Court Judge Romeo Agacita dismissed the illegal possession of dangerous drugs against the young Ongpin as he noted that there has been “utter non-compliance” to the requirements of Section 21, Republic Act 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Act.
The court found that the procedures for the handling of seized drugs were not followed by the arresting officers.
Ongpin has been tagged as a person of interest in the suspicious death of visual artist Breanna “Bree” Jonson in September in San Juan, La Union.
“The dismissal of Julian Ongpin's drug case even after testing positive with 12.5 grams of cocaine is proof that the Duterte drug war is aimed to kill the poor & jail critics while giving free pass for the rich & powerful. This is the Dudirty legacy that they want to maintain in 2022,” said Gabriela Partylist Rep. Arlene Brosas in a statement issued recently.
“In light of this development, we call on women's rights advocates to exert stronger vigilance over the pending case against Ongpin before the Department of Justice (DOJ) and to demand the truth over the circumstances surrounding Bree Jonson's death,” she said.
However, in a Facebook post, Enrile found nothing questionable about Agacita’s decision.
“I must say that Julian Roberto S. Ongpin was fortunate in having such a very judicious and capable judge to hear and try his case,” commented the retired lawmaker, himself one of the country’s briliant legal minds.
Enrile lauded Agacita for writing a decision that “is very lucid and well-written.” “Judge Agacita, JR. meticulously analyzed the case, step by step, according to existing and current precedents and jurisprudence, to arrive at his decision to dismiss the case against Julian Roberto S. Ongpin for lack of probable cause to indict him for violation of Section 11 of Republic Act No. 9165,” he explained.
Enrile stated: “The decision of Judge Agacita, JR. is truly a meritorious act of justice.”