Friday, November 21, 2008 (Philippines)

CEBU. Guests listen to questions raised by the audience during the forum "Taking Charge of Development: Mainstreaming Good Governance." (Alex Badayos) THE Regional Trial Court (RTC) dismissed yesterday the case against former Cebu vice governor John Gregory “John-John” Osmeña for allegedly coddling importers of illegal drugs. RTC Judge Eric Menchavez said the prosecutors failed to establish that there was an illegal importation. “It is necessary to convict first the illegal importer before the prosecutor can accuse somebody of coddling, because if the accused will be acquitted, then there is no reason to prosecute anybody of coddling,” read Menchavez’s 11-page order dismissing the case. [full story]