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Manila, Philippines – The Supreme Court (SC) has declared its decision that cleared Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson and several others in the killing of 11 members of the Kuratong Baleleng gang in an alleged rubout in Quezon City almost 18 years ago final.
In a resolution, the SC denied the motion for reconsideration filed by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) on its November 13, 2012 decision.
“The Court resolved to deny with finality the said motion for reconsideration as the basic issues raised therein have been passed upon by this Court and no substantial arguments were presented to warrant the reversal of the questioned decision,” the SC ruled.
“The Court resolved to deny with finality the said motion for reconsideration as the basic issues raised therein have been passed upon by this Court and no substantial arguments were presented to warrant the reversal of the questioned decision,” the SC ruled.
In a decision written by Justice Roberto A. Abad, the SC affirmed the 2003 ruling of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) that dismissed the multiple murder cases against Lacson and his group for lack of probable cause.
Aside from Lacson, also cleared in the cases were then National Capital Region Command director Chief Superintendent Jewel Canson, then Traffic Management Command chief Senior Superintendent Francisco Zubia Jr., and then Criminal Investigation Command head Chief Superintendent Romeo Acop.
“The Court agrees with RTC Judge Ma. Theresa dela Torre-Yadao that the affidavits and reports (presented by prosecution), taken together with the other documents of record, fail to establish probable cause against the respondents (Lacson and others),” the SC said.
The SC pointed out that Yadao did not commit any error in examining the inconsistencies in the testimonies of witnesses presented by the prosecution. (Rey G. Panaligan)
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