The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is set to submit to the Department of Justice (DOJ) additional evidence on the two murder complaints filed against suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gerald Q. Bantag and several other respondents.
Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Charlie L. Guhit, a member of the panel of prosecutors conducting the preliminary investigation of the complaints, said the submission of additional evidence was manifested by the NBI on Wednesday, Nov. 23.
In a press briefer, Guhit said: “The NBI manifested that it will file supplemental evidence. The Panel directed the NBI to furnish all the respondents the copies of supplemental evidence five (5) days before the next hearing” set on Dec. 5.
Bantag, BuCor Deputy Security Officer Ricardo S. Zulueta, and several persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) were charged with murder for the deaths of radio commentator Percival “Percy Lapid” C. Mabasa and inmate Cristito Villamor Palana, who was identified by self-confessed gunman Joel S. Escorial as the alleged middleman in the broadcaster’s slaying last Oct. 3.
During the first hearing on Wednesday, Nov. 23, Guhit said that “counsels for the PDLs manifested that their clients will either re-affirm their respective affidavits or submit counter-affidavits in the next scheduled hearing.”
During the hearing, Bantag’s counsel, Rocky Balisong, pointed out the mistake in the subpoena issued to his client by the panel of prosecutors.
Balisong told the panel that the name written in the subpoena is that of “Gerald Bantag y Soriano” and not the name of his client, Gerald Bantag y Quitaleg.
In the same press briefer, Guhit said: “Counsel for DG Bantag, Atty. Balisong, raised an issue on the subpoena issued to DG Bantag because his middle name is not properly stated but this issue was addressed by the Panel during the hearing.”
Guhit noted that during the hearing “another subpoena was issued by the Panel and was accordingly received by Atty. Balisong.”
“Moreover, he (Balisong) manifested that all orders of the Panel may be addressed to his law office in Baguio City,” Guhit said.
TAGS: #DOJ #Bantag #Percy Lapid