Saturday, August 18, 2007 Don't judge my son, Ho pleads By Carlo P. Mallo
THE father of one of the principal suspects in Davao City's high-profile rape case this year has pleaded the public not to judge his son and to let the wheel of justice turn after the rape charge was re-filed last Tuesday by the 16-year-old victim.
Former vice mayoralty candidate, Dr. Jeff Ho, on Friday said the truth is on their side.
"Please allow the wheel of justice to turn and surely the truth will surface," Ho told Sun.Star Davao.
One of the principal suspects identified by the victim is Ho's son. However, Ho is confident that his son is innocent.
The first attempt of the victim to file rape charges had earlier been dismissed by the City Prosecutor’s Office after the girl gave contradicting testimonies.
The charges were against relatives of the city's most prominent families.
In her new affidavit, the victim included a daughter of a prominent family, as the one who had left her with the suspects despite the fact that she was already beyond sobriety.
She said the girl, identified as Carla Marfori, was the one who brought her to Opal Street where they drank beer before the alleged rape incident took place.
After regaining her consciousness, the victim said Marfori was no longer around.
