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CA acquits retired prosecutor over 'Alabang Boys' case

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ABS-CBN News

MANILA - The Court of Appeals (CA) dismissed Monday the administrative case against Chief State Prosecutor Jovencito Zuño in relation to the drug case involving the so-called &quot;Alabang Boys.&quot;Zuño was dragged into a controversy in 2008 after dismissing the case against Richard Santos Brodett, Jorge Jordana Joseph, and Joseph Ramirez Tecson who were arrested for drug trafficking through buy-bust operations in Quezon City and Ayala Alabang Village.The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said the family of the three suspects attempted to bribe the prosecutor P50 million to dismiss the case. Zuño denied that he and the other prosecutors who investigated the case were given bribes.READ: <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/01/07/09/timeline-story-alabang-boys-pdea-and-doj">The Story of the &#x27;Alabang Boys,&#x27; PDEA and DOJ </a>The Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) ordered the preventive suspension of Zuño in May 29, 2009.The PAGC also charged Zuño with grave misconduct and conduct grossly prejudicial to the best interest of the service.In an 16-page resolution issued today, the CA 11th division said the PAGC committed grave abuse of discretion when it ordered the suspension of Zuño.The resolution penned by Associate Justice Sesinando Villon stressed that the PAGC cannot force a prosecutor to file a case before the court especially if there is insufficient evidence.The CA added that public officials should be given a presumption of good faith as they fulfill their duty. If there is no indication that the official decided with malice or in bad faith, the CA said a presumption of regularity should be made.The Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/metro-manila/11/25/11/muntinlupa-court-affirms-alabang-boys-acquittal">affirmed the acquittal</a> of the Alabang Boys in 2011 due to a break in the custody of evidence. -- With a report from Dexter Ganibe, dzMM

The Court of Appeals (CA) dismissed Monday the administrative case against Chief State Prosecutor Jovencito Zuño in relation to the drug case involving so-called "Alabang Boys." 