Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

Michael Delizo

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA – The camps of businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang and former actress Gretchen Barretto, both respondents in the case of missing cockfight enthusiasts, denied knowledge of the alleged bribery attempt on one of the complainants, with Ang’s side pointing to whistleblower <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/31/2-brothers-of-missing-sabungeros-whistleblower-totoy-arrested-pnp-1111">Julie Patidongan.</a></p><p>Two individuals were recently <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/17/2-arrested-for-bribing-missing-sabungeros-complainant-to-drop-charges-0802">arrested</a> in Taytay, Rizal, for allegedly attempting to bribe Jaja Pilarta, partner of missing sabungero John Inonog, with P1.5 million in exchange for signing an affidavit of recantation and desistance to withdraw charges against key personalities and other respondents in the case.</p><p>Ang’s lawyer Gabriel Villareal pointed out that Pilarta is a complainant in kidnapping and serious illegal detention charges before the Manila Trial Court against six individuals, including Patidongan. The case stemmed from the abduction of six individuals at the Manila Arena in January 2022.</p><p>“Ang akusado po doon ay hindi si Mr. Ang. Ang akusado doon ay si Julie Patidongan at kanyang mga kasamahan,” Villareal said.</p><p>(The accused in that case is not Mr. Ang. The accused there is Julie Patidongan and his companions.)</p><p>“Paano ibibintang kay Mr. Ang ang isang bagay na hindi naman siya ang akusado doon sa kaso na inaareglo?” he continued. </p><p>(How can this be blamed on Mr. Ang when he is not the accused in the case being settled?)</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/1/murder-raps-filed-vs-atong-ang-others-tagged-in-missing-sabungeros-case-1226">Murder raps filed vs Atong Ang, others tagged in &#x27;missing sabungeros&#x27; case: kin</a></div><p>Villareal accused Patidongan of being the one likely behind the bribery attempt.</p><p>“Kung sinoman ang may motibo na mag-areglo ng kasong ‘yon, ‘yon dapat ay ‘yong mga akusado. Walang iba ‘yon kung hindi si Julie Patidongan. At bakit siya mangangahas na subukang iareglo ‘yon? Dahil doon sa kasong ‘yon, nakabingit ‘yong kanyang bail,” the lawyer said. </p><p>“Dahil doon sa kaso na ‘yon, hindi pinagbigyan ‘yong bail niya at ni-reverse ng Court of Appeals. Kaya doon siya natatakot ngayon na kung hindi nila mapabaliktad ‘yong ruling ng Court of Appeals, babalik sa preso itong si Julie Patidongan at ‘yong kanyang application maging state witness ay mababalewala,” he said. </p><p>(If anyone has the motive to settle that case, it should be the accused. That’s no one else but Julie Patidongan. And why would he dare to try to settle it? Because in that case, his bail is in jeopardy. His bail was denied and reversed by the Court of Appeals. That’s why he is now afraid that if the Court of Appeals ruling isn’t overturned, he will return to prison, and his application to become a state witness will be rendered useless.)</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/3/atong-ang-hints-at-extortion-in-missing-sabungeros-case-puno-t-dulo-nito-pera-1108">Atong Ang hints at extortion in &#x27;missing sabungeros&#x27; case: &#x27;Puno’t dulo nito pera&#x27;</a></div><p>Meanwhile, Barretto’s lawyer Alma Mallonga gave a brief response to media queries: “No! We know nothing about it.” </p><p>Patidongan’s camp also rejected the accusations.</p><p>“That is very impossible na ‘yong kliyente ko na magba-bribe ng kaso na ‘yon dahil alam naman natin na hindi talaga siya ‘yong mastermind doon. In fact, inabogaduhan siya sa kasong ‘yon ng lawyers coming from Mr. Charlie ‘Atong’ Ang. So, what does it mean? What does it imply? So, logically kaya niyo nang i-assess ‘yon?” said Manuel Ventura, lawyer of Patidongan.</p><p>(It is very impossible for my client to bribe in that case because we all know he is not the mastermind there. In fact, he was represented in that case by lawyers from Mr. Charlie ‘Atong’ Ang. So, what does that mean? What does it imply? Logically, you can assess that yourselves.)</p><p>Philippine National Police Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartetez Jr. has ordered Police Maj. Gen. Robert Morico II, CIDG director, to conduct an in-depth investigation to determine who may have ordered the bribery attempt.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO: </strong></div><div><iframe width="853" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PlKmsNt8Ot4" title="Gretchen Barretto faces missing sabungeros hearing | ABS-CBN News" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>The camps of businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang and former actress Gretchen Barretto, both respondents in the case of missing cockfight enthusiasts, denied knowledge of the alleged bribery attempt on one of the complainants. </p>

The camps of businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang and former actress Gretchen Barretto, both respondents in the case of missing cockfight enthusiasts, denied knowledge of the alleged bribery attempt on one of the complainants.

Ang, Barretto, Patidongan deny links to alleged bribe attempt

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Ang, Barretto, Patidongan deny links to alleged bribe attempt

Michael Delizo,

ABS-CBN News

Published September 19, 2025 12:52 PM PHT

|

Updated September 20, 2025 08:24 PM PHT

Read More:

ABSNews

missing sabungero

Atong Ang

Gretchen Barretto

Julie Patidongan

bribery

DOJ

PNP

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