Court orders continued detention of Kuh Ledesma's ex-hubby

MANILA, Philippines - A Manila regional trial court on Friday ordered the continued detention of Luisito Gonzales and his driver, saying that they would have to stay in jail until the Supreme Court rules on a petition questioning the dismissal of the murder and serious physical injury charges against the two. This was contained in a seven-page order issued by Judge Thelma Bunyi-Medina of Manila RTC branch 32. The court also suspended the proceedings subject to the outcome of the petition for review which was filed by the family of slain businessman Federico “Rico" Delgado before the SC. In it, the family questioned the Court of Appeals’ dismissal of the charges against Gonzales and his driver Antonio Buenaflor last August 29, 2008. Gonzales, a grandson of the late former President Elpidio Quirino and ex-husband of singer Kuh Ledesma, is the stepbrother of Delgado. Delgado is the son of shipping magnate Francisco Delgado who is more popularly known in the industry as “Don Paco." The younger Delgado was killed on March 10, 2007 at his Manila apartment. He was 51. His girlfriend, Analisa Pesico, survived the attack and positively identified Gonzales and his driver as their assailants. The RTC said that based on the amended decision of the CA’s Special Former Seventh Division, it did not only set aside the assailed resolution of the Department of Justice and its original decision but also quashed the information charging both accused and the warrant of arrest issued by Medina. “As a consequence of the Amended decision rendered by the CA, this court was left with no option but to suspend the proceedings in this case and await for the determination whether the said amended decision will be sustained by the SC and assume finality," Medina ordered. “In the meantime, let both accused remain in custody," the court added. - GMANews.TV