Sandigan denies lawyers' plea to abandon Relampagos in 'pork' cases | ABS-CBN
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Sandigan denies lawyers' plea to abandon Relampagos in 'pork' cases
Adrian Ayalin,
ABS-CBN News
Published Apr 05, 2018 12:30 PM PHT
MANILA - The Sandiganbayan 7th Division has denied the request of the lawyers of former Budget Undersecretary Mario Relampagos to withdraw as counsel of the latter in the pork barrel scam cases involving Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon.
MANILA - The Sandiganbayan 7th Division has denied the request of the lawyers of former Budget Undersecretary Mario Relampagos to withdraw as counsel of the latter in the pork barrel scam cases involving Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon.
In a resolution dated February 22, 2018, the anti-graft court noted that the motion filed by De Guzman Dionido Caga Jucaban and Associates Law Offices did not contain the written consent of Relampagos.
In a resolution dated February 22, 2018, the anti-graft court noted that the motion filed by De Guzman Dionido Caga Jucaban and Associates Law Offices did not contain the written consent of Relampagos.
The lawyers of Relampagos formally told the court on February 5, 2018 in a motion for withdrawal that they can no longer represent Relampagos who has decided not to return to the Philippines after he was allowed to travel to the United States.
The lawyers of Relampagos formally told the court on February 5, 2018 in a motion for withdrawal that they can no longer represent Relampagos who has decided not to return to the Philippines after he was allowed to travel to the United States.
The court said that the manifestation of the lawyers that they can no longer carry their responsibilities “for reasons beyond their control” is not justified.
The court said that the manifestation of the lawyers that they can no longer carry their responsibilities “for reasons beyond their control” is not justified.
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“It bears emphasis that Attys. Godofredo De Guzman, Arnold Caga and Christopher John Lao actively championed accused Relampagos’ motion to travel abroad and they even submitted a notarized affidavit of undertaking as proof of their commitment to exert utmost efforts for the return of accused-movant Mario Loquellano Relampagos within the authorized travel period and for his appearance before the Honorable Court whenever so required by it or by the Rules, all for the orderly and efficient administration of justice,” the court said in its resolution signed by 7th Division Chairperson Maria Dolores Gomez-Estoesta, and Associate Justices Zaldy Trespeses and Bayani Jacinto.
“It bears emphasis that Attys. Godofredo De Guzman, Arnold Caga and Christopher John Lao actively championed accused Relampagos’ motion to travel abroad and they even submitted a notarized affidavit of undertaking as proof of their commitment to exert utmost efforts for the return of accused-movant Mario Loquellano Relampagos within the authorized travel period and for his appearance before the Honorable Court whenever so required by it or by the Rules, all for the orderly and efficient administration of justice,” the court said in its resolution signed by 7th Division Chairperson Maria Dolores Gomez-Estoesta, and Associate Justices Zaldy Trespeses and Bayani Jacinto.
The court also said that the lawyers are still in the best position to defend Relampagos as they were with him since the start of the cases involving lawmakers' priority development assistance funds.
The court also said that the lawyers are still in the best position to defend Relampagos as they were with him since the start of the cases involving lawmakers' priority development assistance funds.
“To pull in a complete stranger to act as counsel de oficio will serve no useful purpose and will not serve the ends of justice but would only potentially delay the proceedings in these cases to the prejudice of the rest of the accused,” the court said.
“To pull in a complete stranger to act as counsel de oficio will serve no useful purpose and will not serve the ends of justice but would only potentially delay the proceedings in these cases to the prejudice of the rest of the accused,” the court said.
The Sandiganbayan 5th Division, which handles the PDAF cases of Relampagos in connection with former Senator Jinggoy Estrada, earlier granted the motion for withdrawal of the lawyers.
The Sandiganbayan 5th Division, which handles the PDAF cases of Relampagos in connection with former Senator Jinggoy Estrada, earlier granted the motion for withdrawal of the lawyers.
In a resolution dated February 12, the court granted the motion of the lawyers of Relampagos, noting that the prosecution did not register any objection to the matter.
In a resolution dated February 12, the court granted the motion of the lawyers of Relampagos, noting that the prosecution did not register any objection to the matter.
“Accordingly, De Guzman Dionido Caga Jucaban and Associates Law Offices is relieved of its duties and responsibilities as counsel for accused Mario L. Relampagos in the above-entitled cases,” the court said in the resolution signed by 5th Division Acting Chairperson Maria Theresa Mendoza-Arcega, and Associate Justice Mary Ann Corpus-Manalac and Bernelito Fernandez.
“Accordingly, De Guzman Dionido Caga Jucaban and Associates Law Offices is relieved of its duties and responsibilities as counsel for accused Mario L. Relampagos in the above-entitled cases,” the court said in the resolution signed by 5th Division Acting Chairperson Maria Theresa Mendoza-Arcega, and Associate Justice Mary Ann Corpus-Manalac and Bernelito Fernandez.
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