Tuesday, July 15, 2008 Judge gives DOJ time to present evidence
REGIONAL Trial Court (RTC) Judge Meinrado Paredes gave the Department of Justice (DOJ) panel of prosecutors until July 28 to present their evidence against former Cebu vice governor John-John Gregory Osmeña.
But where is the illegal drug importer that Osmeña allegedly protected?
This was a question left unanswered in a hearing held on the case last June 20. Osmeña had been charged with coddling Michael Cummings, an Australian believed to have been responsible for shipping illegal drugs from China to Australia via Cebu.
Paredes had then asked the prosecution and defense lawyers to present their memoranda 15 days after receiving the court transcript of stenographic notes (TSN) of the June 20 hearing.
Prosecutors
The hearing was on a motion filed by Osmeña’s lead counsel Edgar Gica questioning the existence of sufficient evidence to indict his client.
But as both sides prepare their respective memoranda before Judge Paredes, the DOJ panel of prosecutors asked for more time.
Paredes had specifically instructed the DOJ panel of prosecutors, led by Manila-based State Prosecutor Juan Pedro Naverra, to indicate in their memorandum whether they had further evidence to establish that Osmeña “knowingly and willfully” protected Cummings.
Whereabouts
Cummings owns Coastside Ventures, Inc., the consignee of 60 drums of the illegal drug pseudoephedrine that entered the country in March 5, 2004.
Last June 20, Paredes questioned how Osmeña could be accused of preventing Cumming’s arrest when no attempt had been made to arrest the Australian.
During the hearing, no one could shed light on Cummings’ whereabouts.
Osmeña himself was also a no-show, as he was in the United States at the time, Gica previously told Sun.Star Cebu.
Yesterday, State Prosecutor Llena Ipong, who is among the DOJ panel prosecuting the case, filed a motion seeking extension of the memorandum deadline. Tomorrow was supposed to be the last day for submission.
In her motion, Ipong said she had received a copy of the TSN on the afternoon of June 27. She sent it to Naverra by mail on June 30.
But because of the heavy workload of the DOJ prosecutors, “the DOJ panel could not possibly finish the memorandum within the 15-day period,” the motion read.
The DOJ panel asked to be given until July 29 to file their memorandum.
Paredes approved the motion yesterday afternoon but extended the deadline only up to July 28.
In a phone interview, Gica told Sun.Star he is still preparing his memorandum.
He said the latest he would file his memorandum would be next Tuesday. (KAB)
