MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) is set to file tomorrow its motion for reconsideration on the dismissal of the drug case against Julian Ongpin, a person of interest in the death of visual artist Bree Jonson last September.
“I have been informed that the DOJ prosecutors will file their motion for reconsideration in the Ongpin drug case on Monday,” Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said yesterday.
Guevarra refused to elaborate when asked about the content of the motion, saying that the information will be released “after it has been finalized and filed in court.”
Ongpin is a son of business magnate and former trade minister Roberto Ongpin.
Guevarra also said while the court lifted the precautionary hold departure order against Ongpin after dismissing the case, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) is still monitoring his whereabouts since the immigration lookout bulletin order issued against him is still in effect because the DOJ is set to file the motion for reconsideration.
Asked if Ongpin is still in the Philippines, Guevarra said he has no information as far as Ongpin’s whereabouts is concerned.
Guevarra said another reason for the monitoring is that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is still investigating the death of Jonson, who was found dead in a hostel room she shared with Ongpin in La Union.
The BI and NBI are under the supervision of the DOJ.
La Union Regional Trial Court Branch 27 Judge Romeo Agacita Jr. dismissed the possession of illegal drugs charge against Ongpin for lack of probable cause to issue a warrant of arrest in view of the “non-compliance of the requirements of Section 21 of the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002,” which set rules for the chain of custody for evidence.
Agacita said the local police failed to immediately mark the sachets of cocaine seized in the room shared by Ongpin and Jonson, both of whom tested positive for cocaine use.
Act of justice
Meanwhile, former Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile said Agacita’s decision was “lucid and well-written.”
According to Enrile, who was defense minister, Agacita “analyzed the case, step by step, according to existing and current precedents and jurisprudence, to arrive at his decision,” which he described as a “meritorious act of justice.” – Jose Rodel Clapano