No bail for Ongpin in illegal drug case

MANILA – No bail will be recommended for the possession of dangerous drugs case against Julian Roberto Ongpin, the 29-year-old son of former Trade minister and billionaire Roberto V. Ongpin.

Department of Justice (DOJ) Undersecretary and spokesperson Emmeline Aglipay-Villar told the media via text message that the criminal information against Ongpin will be filed at the Regional Trial Court of San Fernando City, La Union following the resolution of the case on Monday.

“The same information also states that the offense is non-bailable,” Villar said.

A precautionary hold departure order was issued on October 8 by the La Union court, directing the Bureau of Immigration to bar Ongpin from leaving the Philippines.

Ongpin was caught with 12.6 grams of cocaine inside a hostel room in the La Union town on September 18.

On the same day, Davaoeña artist Breana “Bree” Jonson, allegedly Ongpin’s girlfriend, was found unconscious in their room and later declared dead in a hospital.

Ongpin claimed Jonson, 30, hanged herself in the bathroom.

The autopsy indicated the official cause of death was asphyxia.

The police forensic examination also showed her positive for cocaine use and her body did not show any markings of struggle.

The Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of La Union originally handled the case and ordered Ongpin’s release but was directed to transfer all evidence to the DOJ.