BACOLOD CITY – The Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental Regional Trial Court Branch 64 has dismissed the murder charges filed against 14 individuals, including an incumbent vice mayor and councilor of Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, as well as a former mayor of Isabela, Negros Occidental.
In a two-page order dated Feb. 28, 2025, acting Presiding Judge Maria Anna Priscila M. Pareja granted the motion to dismiss the case against Moises Padilla Vice Mayor Adrian Villaflor, Councilor Vincent Bryan Garcia, Barangay Captain Felisa Villaflor, Jonathan Villaflor, and former Councilors Jose Morito Flores and Jimmie Don Plaza.
Also cleared were former Mayor Joselito Malabor and seven other individuals from Isabela town.
The court said that the case was dismissed due to the apparent lack of interest from the private prosecutor and the private complainant to pursue it.
The case originated from the killing of then Moises Padilla Councilor Jolomar Hilario in his residence in Barangay Inolingan in March 2019. The incident was later claimed by the New People’s Army (NPA).
Hilario’s son, Francis, served as the private complainant.
The court stated that the complainant and his legal team failed to appear on the hearings scheduled on Sept. 9, 2024 and Feb. 11 and 26, 2025, without justifiable reasons.
On Feb. 27, a public prosecutor informed the court that he was supposed to meet with the complainant and his mother to discuss their intentions regarding the case. However, they did not attend the meeting and later communicated their decision to withdraw the complaint.
“To stress, the defense has constantly moved for the dismissal of the instant case due to the private complainant and the private prosecutor’s apparent lack of interest to pursue the case invoking their client’s right to a speedy trial,” the court added.
“In line with the Constitutional guarantee of an accused’s right to a speedy trial, and to prevent any further delays in the administration of justice, the motion to dismiss by the defense is hereby granted. Accordingly, the instant case is hereby dismissed,” the court said.
The court has ordered the release of the accused from the Negros Occidental District Jail in Bago City, Negros Occidental and instructed the return of their bail bond upon presentation of proper receipts.
The private complainant and private prosecutors were given 30 days to reimburse the expenses incurred by the accused and their legal counsel. Failure to comply would result in contempt charges.
Vice Mayor Villaflor, who is running for mayor in the midterm elections, expressed relief over the court decision rendered after four years.