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GMA Network
12-07-2025
- GMA Network
DOJ: Case buildup on missing sabungeros 'not personality driven'
Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez speaks to the media at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City on July 12, 2025. TED CORDERO/ GMA Integrated News The ongoing investigation and eventual filling of cases in relation to the disappearances of sabungeros or cockfight enthusiasts is not aimed at pinning charges on a specific individual or group, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ). "We are on the collation stage of these pieces of evidence and we are in the process now of trying to strengthen now the case or cases that may be filed in court," DOJ Undersecretary Raul Vasquez said at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City. This week, sacks of bones were recovered from Taal Lake following claims by whistleblower and co-accused Julie "Dondon" Patidongan that the bodies of the missing sabungeros were dumped in its waters on the day they were abducted. The recovered bones will be tested to determine whether or not these are human remains, and if the DNA matches with the relatives of the missing individuals. A total of 34 cockfighting enthusiasts have been reported missing from 2021 to 2022. According to the police, the missing personalities were kidnapped allegedly due to match fixing or cheating in the cockfighting games. Patidongan had tagged businessman Atong Ang as a mastermind and linked actress Gretchen Barretto in the disappearances. Both have denied the allegations. Malacañang had vowed that the Marcos administration will not spare anyone in the pursuit of justice for the missing sabungeros and their families. "This is not personality driven. This investigation is not at all personality driven or directed at any particular group of persons," Vasquez said. "Ito ay ebidensya lamang, trabaho lamang ang hinahabol namin at ang sinisigurado natin ay kailangan lang under case buildup rule ay 'yung mataas na antas ng ebidensya, quality case, evidence ready at science ang sumusupporta kasi kailangan natin itaas na 'yung antas ngayon ng ating criminal prosecution and investigation… hindi na lang probable case kundi prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction para wala na 'yung makasuhan ka ng karaka-karaka lamang, 'yung harassment suit at saka 'yung weaponization of penal laws at 'yung frivolous cases wala na 'yun," he said. (Our duty is to work based on evidence. Under the case buildup rule, we should have a quality case with high-quality evidence that is ready and supported by science. The quality of criminal prosecution should be raised... Not just a probable case but there should be prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction so that cases would not be filed immediately. Harassment suits, weaponization of penal laws, and frivolous cases will be avoided.) The Justice official also said a formal complaint has yet to be lodged in relation to the latest developments in the missing sabungeros case. "That's exactly kasi kapag gumawa ka ng formal complaint nakalatag na lahat ng storya mo... Sa ngayon kasi kinakakalap pa lang natin. Madali ang manghusga, madali 'yung magturo, napakahirap 'yung magbigay ng pruweba lalo na proof beyond reasonable doubt ang pinag-uusapan dito," he said. (That's exactly what should be done. When you make a formal complaint, your whole story should be laid out... At this point, we are still doing legwork. It's easy to make accusations, but it's difficult to show proof, especially if we're talking about proof beyond reasonable doubt.) Meanwhile, Ang's camp had filed a complaint affidavit against Patidongan with the Office of the Prosecutor in Mandaluyong City. The businessman said he was being extorted P300 million by Patidongan. The complaint was for conspiracy to commit attempted robbery with violence against or intimidation of persons, grave threats, grave coercion, slander, and incriminating against innocent persons. Vasquez said Ang's complaint against Patidongan would not affect the DOJ's investigation and the ongoing case buildup on the missing sabungeros. Malacañang has vowed that there would be no cover-up in the case of the missing cockfight enthusiasts. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
05-07-2025
- GMA Network
DOST willing to help search for missing sabungeros' remains in Taal Lake
The Department of Science and Technology on Saturday said that the agency is willing to lend its expertise and equipment in the search for the remains of missing sabungeros or cockfight enthusiasts in Taal Lake. 'Of course makikipag-ugnayan kami sa ibang scientist, sa tingin naman baka may instrument na kakayahan. May pandagat kami na instrumento na pinondohan ng DOST for marine monitoring—para sa mga isda, mga corals, but we will have to find out kung 'yung murky conditions ng Taal Lake kaya pa ng ibang mga camera na mayroon,' said DOST Secretary Renato Solidum at the Saturday News Forum. (Of course we will be in touch with other scientists. We think there might be instruments that are capable. We have a marine instrument funded by DOST for marine monitoring—for fish and corals—but we will have to find out if other cameras that we have can handle the murky conditions of Taal Lake.) This, as Solidum said that it's "possible" their bones may still be recovered in the lake. "Ang buto hindi made-decompose.. 'Yung buto walang pakialam ang decomposition doon, ang laman ang nabubulok lang,' explained Solidum. (Bones do not decompose. The bone doesn't care about decomposition, only the flesh rots.) The Philippines government has asked Japan's technical assistance to help the search for dozens of cockfighting participants allegedly killed by rogue police and dumped in a lake south of Manila. It was whistleblower Julie 'Dondon' Patidongan alias "Totoy" who claimed that the bodies of the 34 missing sabungeros were buried in Taal Lake. Solidum, meanwhile, said that it would depend on the depth and the 'oxidizing' content of the lake where the bodies were thrown if the remains can be found intact or at a certain level of decomposition. "'Pag oxidizing, kunwari dito sa lupa, kung iwan mo ang dahon diyan made-decompose yan in time kasi may air ka pa – may oxygen, pag wala nang oxygen hindi na yan made-decompose, mape-preserve so depende 'yan sa lokasyon,' he said. (When oxidizing, let's say here in the ground, if you leave the leaf there, it will decompose in time because you still have air—there is oxygen. If there is no more oxygen, it will not decompose; it will be preserved, so it depends on the location.) 'Malalim kasi ang lake, mahigit 100 meters yan sa deepest part… So depende. 'Yung organic matter kasi na lumulubog, siyempre hindi maka-penetrate ang sunlight kaya madilim,' added Solidum. (The lake is deep, over 100 meters at its deepest part... So it depends. Because the organic matter sinks, of course sunlight can't penetrate, so it's dark.) Located about two hours south of the capital, Taal Lake is home to an active island volcano and spans more than 230 square kilometers with a depth of 172 meters in some places. Patidongan initially appeared in silhouette in an interview with GMA Integrated News before later revealing himself, saying he feared for his life. The whistleblower has identified businessman Charlie ''Atong'' Ang as the mastermind behind the disappearances. Ang has denied all charges and on Thursday filed a lawsuit accusing Patidongan, a former employee, of slander, threats, and conspiracy to commit robbery. Since his televised appearance, Patidongan has claimed the actual number could be as high as 100. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
28-06-2025
- General
- GMA Network
DSWD: AICS not just for the poor
An official of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Saturday debunked misconceptions that the agency's Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) is "only for the poor." 'For AICS, wala kaming tinitignan it can be low or high income. It can be rich or poor. It can be professional or not, may trabaho o wala,' said DSWD Crisis Intervention Unit (CIU) Director Edwin Morata at the Saturday News Forum. (For AICS, we don't look at anything, it can be low or high income. It can be rich or poor. It can be professional or not, with a job or not.) Morata emphasized that the AICS is a 'catch-all' stop-gap measure and assistance program being provided by the agency, which would depend on the situation being faced by a requesting individual. He also added that the initiative is not just a cash aid program but also includes psychosocial interventions such as psychological first aid, counseling, and others. These are on top of financial and other aid to help individuals cope with crisis situations like illness, death, or job loss. AICS provides medical assistance, burial, transportation, education, food, or financial assistance or other support services or needs of a person or family experiencing crises. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
28-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
House prosecutors welcome Ombudsman stand to await VP Sara trial result
Vice President Sara Duterte speaks to the media in Melbourne, Australia on June 22, 2025. Courtesy: Office of the Vice President video screenshot The House of Representatives prosecution panel backed the remarks made by Ombudsman Samuel Martires who said his office would wait for the outcome of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte before resolving her case. "Ang sinabi niya (Martires) ang kaniyang kapangyarihan lang ay mag-imbestiga, hindi ang mag-desisyon (He said his power is to investigate, not to decide on cases)," House prosecution panel spokesperson Atty. Antonio Audie Bucoy said at the Saturday News Forum. "Aantayin niya ang kahihinatnan ng impeachment trial, which is tama (He will wait for the outcome of the impeachment trial, which is correct). I commend the Ombudsman for that," Bucoy said. In an interview on Friday regarding the issue, Martires said his office does not have the power to prosecute. Further, should the Senate impeachment court in favor of the Vice President, the Office of the Ombudsman may no longer pursue charges, according to Martires. Martires said, "The Ombudsman or any investigating body has to await the result of the impeachment proceeding." "But if the Vice President is acquitted by the impeachment court, wala kaming power to charge her (But if the Vice President is acquitted by the impeachment court, we have no power to charge her)," the Ombudsman said. Martires had also denied that he was out to sabotage the trial when his office acted on the report submitted by the House Committee on Good Governance and Public Accountability. On June 19, the Ombudsman asked Duterte to file her counter-affidavit to the alleged misuse of confidential funds of the Department of Education and the Office of the Vice President. Duterte filed her counter affidavit with the Ombudsman on Friday, June 27, 2025. The House of Representatives had submitted a committee report on June 16, alleging plunder, technical malversation, falsification, use of falsified documents, perjury, bribery, corruption of public officers, betrayal of public trust, and culpable violation of the Constitution. Also named as respondents were Edward Fajarda and Gina Acosta, Special Disbursing Officers; Assistant Secretary Atty. Sunshine Charry Fajarda, Director for Strategic Management Office; retired Major General Nolasco Mempin, Undersecretary for Administration; and Annalyn Sevilla, Undersecretary for Finance Service. All of them are from the Department of Education. Those charged from the Office of the Vice President were Atty. Zuleika Lopez, Undersecretary and Chief of Staff; Lemuel Ortonio, Assistant Chief of Staff; Lieutenant Colonel Dennis Nolasco, Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group; and Colonel Raymund Dante Lachia, Commander of Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group of the Philippine Army. Martires had said the investigation may take longer than the trial, adding that it may be up to the next Ombudsman to tackle the issue. "Mabuti nagsalita na si Ombudsman Martires that he is leaving it to the next Ombudsman to address the case… We welcome that because 'yun po ang tamang proseso eh," Bucoy said. (It's good that Ombudsman Martires stated that he is leaving it to the next Ombudsman to address the case… We welcome that because it is the proper process.) Martires is due to retire on July 27 after serving as Ombudsman for seven years. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
28-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
SC a 'last resort' for House prosecutors if Senate junks VP Sara impeachment —spox
The House of Representatives Prosecution Panel would resort going to the Supreme Court (SC) on the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte should the Senate move to dismiss the case, according to their spokesperson Atty. Antonio Audie Bucoy. "Wala kaming ibang pupuntahan kasi ang SC lang ang final judge ng Constitutional issue of whether it is compliant with the Constitution or not,' Bucoy said at the Saturday News Forum. (We have nowhere else to go because the SC is the final judge of the Constitutional issue of whether it is compliant with the Constitution or not.) Bucoy made the remark after Duterte entered a 'not guilty' plea in the verified impeachment complaint filed against her by the House of Representatives, which she called merely a 'scrap of paper.' In the 35-page answer ad cautelam (with caution) submitted by Duterte's camp to the Senate impeachment court on Monday, the Vice President argued that the fourth impeachment complaint must be dismissed for being illegal, saying that it violated the one-year bar rule under the 1987 Constitution. The House of Representatives prosecution panel, in response, asked the Senate impeachment court to reject Duterte's bid to dismiss the impeachment case against her, saying the severity of the charges requires no less than a full and transparent trial and her conviction. Should the Senate impeachment court rule in favor of the Vice President's appeal, Bucoy said the House prosecution would file before the Supreme Court a 'petition for certiorari with mandamus, questioning the exercise of abuse of discretion amounting to lack of jurisdiction.' ''Yun lang ang puwede namin i-akyat eh, 'yung grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack of jurisdiction… mandamus for the [Supreme] Court to compel the [Senate] court to try it,' he said. (That's all we can do. The grave abuse of discretion amounts to a lack of jurisdiction… mandamus for the Supreme Court to compel the Senate court to proceed with the trial.) 'The only thing the SC can do is either reverse or modify 'yung kanilang decision,' he added. (The SC can either reverse or modify the decision.) Motion Senate President Francis Escudero on Wednesday said that the Senate impeachment court may vote on the motion to dismiss the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte if a senator-judge makes such a submission. 'Wala namang bawal na motion... Asan ba 'yung provision sa Saligang Batas o sa Rules on Impeachment na bawal ang ganito o ganyang klaseng motion? Hindi mo namang pwedeng pigilan,' Escudero said in a press conference. (There is no prohibited motion. Where is the law, constitutional provision, or Rules of Impeachment that a certain motion is prohibited? You cannot stop someone from making a motion.) Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa had moved in the plenary for the dismissal of the Articles of Impeachment, but his motion was eventually amended so that the complaint be returned to the House of Representatives pending a couple of certifications. 'Constitutional crisis' Bucoy, meanwhile, warned that it would become a 'constitutional crisis' if the Senate refuses to follow what the Supreme Court's decision would be. 'There will be a constitutional crisis kung nag utos ang SC at ayaw sumunod then we have a crisis, pero I doubt kung hindi sila susunod," he said. This, as Bucoy stressed the importance of proceeding with the trial. 'Para sa amin, mahalaga na magkaroon ng paglilitis, kahit na i-acquit niyo yan, basta naipakita namin sa bayan ang mga ebidensya namin sa lahat ng krimen na ginawa niya,' he said. (For us, it is important to have a trial, even if you acquit her, as long as we have shown the people our evidence for all the crimes she committed.) 'Bayan na ang maghuhusga sa inyo. Pero babalikan ko ulit, nagtitiwala pa rin kami sa proseso dahil ito haka-haka pa rin. Malalaman natin sa susunod na mga araw kung tama ang ating pag agam-agam,' he added. (Let the people be the judge. Again, we still trust the process because this is still speculation. We will know in the coming days if our doubts are correct.) Duterte is accused of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, and other high crimes mainly over alleged misuse of P612.5 million worth of confidential funds and for threatening to kill President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., his wife Liza and his Speaker Martin Romualdez of Leyte, among others. The Vice President has denied the allegations. Bucoy also said that the House prosecution team has not yet discussed whether it will file a motion for inhibition against senator-judges who have expressed biases in the case. 'I think there's growing opinion… it's gaining ground na 'wag na lang.' Malilihis na naman eh. Pangalawa, it will only compound our numbers issues,' he said. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
