Sunday, June 15, 2008 Lawyer to present more proof that client didn't rape servant
ALTHOUGH the complainant’s legal panel said that a Boys Scout of the Philippines (BSP) official’s alibi was “very weak,” his lawyer believes the rape allegation was hard to believe.
Lawyer Pedro Leslie Salva, counsel for BSP 7 Director Alexander Kong, said last Friday that he has more evidence to present before the city prosecutor to clear his client’s name.
Kong’s 16-year-old househelp had accused him of molesting her at 1 a.m. on Feb. 18.
In a clarificatory hearing last Wednesday, however, Kong said he was in Dumaguete City that time attending a funeral.
Salva said he would present more documents this week before city prosecutor Lineth Lapinid to reinforce Kong’s claim.
‘Very weak’ alibi
In particular, he will show a Dumaguete City coast guard certification that Kong only returned to Cebu on Feb. 19.
Prosecution lawyers Gloria Lastimosa-Dalawampu and Ruphil Bañoc, however, had called the trip a “very weak” alibi.
They said the bus and ferry tickets that Kong presented had no name and date, adding that “anyone could just pick up a ticket from the floor” and present it as evidence.
But Salva argued that had Kong known there would be criminal accusations against him, he surely would have made sure that his ticket bore his name and travel itinerary.
Bus liners and fast-crafts, however, do not do this, he said.
Dalawampu and Bañoc likewise doubted the funeral pictures Kong presented, as they did not indicate any date when taken.
Salva said the camera used was an old model.
“Kung kahibawo pa lang siya, nagdala unta og mahalun nga camera (Had Kong known that he needed to use the pictures as evidence, he would have brought an expensive camera),” he said.
Motive in question
Salva also questioned the helper’s motive in reporting the incident to the media instead of going to the police.
The victim had sought help from radio station dyHP.
In an earlier interview, the girl told Sun.Star Cebu that her mother, very angry upon learning of her ordeal, brought her straight to dyHP for help.
She said Kong often touched her private parts when he had her massage him. On Feb. 18, he went further when he pulled her unto his bed and raped her.
Salva, though, questioned why she still returned to the house after what happened.
In the clarificatory hearing, Kong reminded the victim’s family that he greatly helped them in employing the girl and sending her to school.
Dalawampu called this a “double-edged sword.”
She said that when the hearing resumes this week, they will also bring more documents, including a medical certificate from the Vicente Memorial Medical Center, where the victim was examined. (KAB)
