Makati court postpones Leviste pretrial

The Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) postponed Wednesday the pretrial conference of the murder charges against former Batangas Governor Jose Antonio Leviste pending the resolution of his appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA). The pre-trial conference on Leviste's case regarding the murder of his long-time aide, Rafael Delas Alas, was reset by Makati RTC Branch 150 Judge Elmo Alameda on October 10. Alameda said he needs sufficient time to decide whether to continue with the trial of Leviste. Leviste has admitted killing Delas Alas after an intense argument. The crime happened inside Leviste’s office on LTL building in Makati City last January 12. “Due to judicial courtesy, the Court will defer the pre-trial today (Wednesday) pending the resolution of the motion for reconsideration filed at the Court of Appeals. The Court needs a few days to contemplate on the arguments," Alameda said. Leviste, through his lawyers, has questioned before the Court of Appeals the CA’s ruling, which upheld the filing of murder charges against him. The former governor claimed that he killed Delas Alas in self-defense. Leviste’s lawyers, led by Alan Gepti, said the hearing of the Makati RTC might be rendered null and void if the CA grants Leviste’s appeal and decide to cancel the trial. For his part, Senior State Prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco said the proceedings against Leviste on murder charges should not be deferred without any order from the CA. “The Court should not take the cudgel for the appellate court and the defense. They are engaging in speculations here. We don’t know what will be the appellate court’s decision, otherwise if we continue engaging in speculations we will always be put in a limbo," Velasco said. Velasco said the Rules of Court provides that a pre-trial should be held 30 days after the arraignment of the accused. Gepti said the CA should be given enough time to decide on the defense panel's August 30 motion to save the time and resources of the court. Leviste is currently out on bail for P300,000. - GMANews.TV