CIDG raps on ‘Bikoy’ revelations up for resolution

FILE: Peter Joemel Advincula (wearing shades) and lawyer Larry Gadon (PNA photo)

MANILA — The cases filed by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) arising from the revelations of Peter Joemel Advincula, the man behind the so-called “Ang Totoong Narcolist” video” against 36 opposition figures, is now submitted for resolution by the prosecution panel of the Department of Justice (DOJ) following the submission of counter-affidavits by the respondents.

At least two respondents, former Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano and Jonell Sangalang opted not to file a counter-affidavit.

Under the rules, the prosecution has 60 days to decide whether to dismiss the case outright or bring it to court.

The last among the respondents to file their counter-affidavits on Thursday were detained senator Leila de Lima, Jose Manuel Diokno and Danilo Songco.

Last week, Assistant Solicitor General Angelita Villanueva-Miranda urged the DOJ panel to reconsider and order the issuance of subpoena for Jude Sabio, a lawyer of former senator Antonio Trillanes; Davao businesswoman Guillermina Barrido; and consumer advocate Perfecto Jaime Tagalog.

This after the CIDG filed new evidence in the sedition, inciting to sedition, cyber libel, libel, estafa, harboring a criminal/obstruction of justice cases.

Barrido and Tagalog have filed their sworn statements before the PNP.

The testimony of the three would have been corroborative to the initial complaint filed by the PNP-CIDG.

Also named in the complaint are Vice President Leonor Robredo, former senator Antonio Trillanes IV, Eduardo Acierto, Senators Ana Theresia N. Hontiveros-Baraquel, former Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) president Abdiel Fajardo, IBP president Domingo Egon Cayosa, former Supreme Court spokesperson Theodore Te, lawyers Minerva Ambrosio, Serafin Salvador, and Philip Sawali.

Senatorial candidates in the recent polls Samira Gutoc-Tomawis, Paolo Benigno A. Aquino, lawyer Lorenzo “Erin” R. Tañada III, Florin Hilbay, and Romulo Macalintal were also charged.

Also charged were Yolando Villanueva Ong, Fr. Flaviano Villanueva, Fr. Albert E. Alejo, Fr. Robert Reyes, Bro. Armin A. Luistro, Cubao Diocese Bishop Honesto F. Ongtioco, retired Novaliches Bishop Teodoro Bacani Jr., Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio S. David, former Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Archbishop Socrates Villegas, publicist Boom Enriquez, Vicente R. Romano III, and film actor/activist Joel Saracho.

A certain alias “Sentrix” and “John Doe”, along with “Bikoy”, were also named for their part in the so-called Project Sodoma, which was allegedly hatched to discredit administration candidates in the May 13 elections.

The special panel of prosecutors consists of Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Olivia L. Torrevillas and Assistant State Prosecutors Gino Paolo S. Santiago and Michael John M. Humarang.