DoJ clarifies sabungero case ‘delays’

The Department of Justice (DoJ) on Tuesday attributed the delay in the formal filing of criminal information in the case of the missing sabungeros to an extensive review process aimed at preventing the charges from being dismissed in court.

DoJ spokesperson Atty. Polo Martinez confirmed that the ongoing review is intended to ensure the case is legally sound and stressed that prosecutors are not rushing the court filing.

Martinez explained that besides the volume of material, prosecutors must “look into the wording of the information meticulously,” citing that incorrect wording could render the charges “quashable.”

He also clarified that a quashable case means the defense would have grounds to dismiss the case in court.

The spokesperson confirmed that the criminal information has not yet been filed in court as prosecutors complete the remaining procedural steps. Once filed, the court will docket the case and issue corresponding warrants of arrest, along with a notice of hearing for the arraignment and pre-trial.

Martinez also addressed the expected motion for reconsideration (MR) to be filed by the respondents against the DoJ’s earlier resolution for indictment. He clarified that the filing of an MR does not suspend the filing of the criminal information in court.

“As soon as the review is done, the wording is done, it can be filed in court even if the resolution on his motion for reconsideration is still pending,” Martinez said.

The DoJ had earlier said that it found sufficient basis to pursue charges against businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang and others in connection with the missing sabungeros, whose disappearances over the past years have sparked allegations of abduction and murder.

Authorities have yet to relay a definitive timetable for the filing of the cases.