No arrest warrant yet for Ongpin; case raffled off

MANILA – The drug possession case against Julian Roberto Ongpin has been raffled to a La Union court while an arrest warrant has yet to be issued.

The case against the 29-year-old art gallery owner and billionaire’s son was raffled off Thursday to the San Fernando City, La Union Regional Trial Court Branch 27, under Judge Romeo Agacita, according to Department of Justice (DOJ) Undersecretary and spokesperson Emmeline Aglipay-Villar, in a text message to reporters.

“He is the same judge who issued the provisional hold departure order,” she added. “As of this morning, a warrant of arrest has yet to be issued. We will secure a copy as soon as it is already available.”

In February, Agacita also sentenced a former vice mayor’s aide, Leonardo Banaag Jr., to life imprisonment for the June 2010 murder of radio broadcaster Jovelito Agustin in Laoag City.

Banaag worked for then-Bacarra Vice Mayor Pacifico Velasco.

Prosecutors recommended no bail for the son of former Trade minister and billionaire Roberto V. Ongpin after he 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 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.