The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expressed hopes that the theft case against an octogenarian in Asingan, Pangasinan would be settled amicably without having the old man dragged through the rigors of court trial.

Several published reports identified the 80-year-old man as either “Leonardo Flores” or “Leonardo Floro.”

But a copy of the court order issued by the municipal circuit trial court (MCTC) in Asingan-San Manuel in Pangasinan identified the man as Nardo Flores.

MCTC Judge Sarah C. Marcos Martin granted P6,000 bail to Flores last Jan. 20 in his theft case denominated as Criminal Case No. A-10867.

Flores had expressed hope that his case can be settled amicably. He was accused of theft when he picked some 10 kilos of mangoes from trees which, he claimed, he himself planted. The MCTC has set the hearing of the case on Feb. 8.

Published reports stated that Flores had offered to reimburse the alleged owners of the mango trees.

In a statement, CHR spokesperson and lawyer Jacqueline Ann de Guia said that the constitutional guarantees for the accused must be asserted, including the presumption of innocence.

“Cognizant of the costly and protracted nature of litigation, the CHR hopes that alternative means to settle the dispute be explored, an amicable agreement be reached, and possibly a desistance of the charge filed given the circumstances of the complaint and condition of the accused," De Guia said.

"In the end, we must remember that laws are in place not only to exact accountability from perpetrators, but also to protect the vulnerable when needed," she said.

The incident stressed the importance of knowing one's rights and the availability of legal assistance, especially for the vulnerable and marginalized members of society, she added.

The CHR lauded the "commendable" acts of the Asingan police in handling the case, as well as the legal assistance rendered by the Public Attorney’s Office to Flores.