DOJ: Marc Ventura can no longer present defense in Atio slay case

Aegis Juris fraternity member Marc Anthony Ventura has lost his chance to defend himself in the criminal charges filed against him before the Department of Justice (DOJ) regarding the hazing death of freshman law student Horacio "Atio" Castillo III.

Ventura failed to beat the deadline for the submission of counter-affidavit on Monday, prompting the three-man panel of prosecutors handling the preliminary investigation to consider him to have waived his right to file his written defense.

The panel still considers Ventura a respondent in the complaints filed by the Manila Police District and Castillo's parents because his affidavit that was used as basis for his admission to the Witness Protection Program has yet to be received by the prosecutors. Ventura submitted his sworn statement to the WPP last October 24.

Despite his failure to refute the charges against him, Ventura remains admitted to the WPP.

The DOJ panel's action came following a query from lawyer Paterno Esmaquel, counsel for Aegis Juris member and respondent John Paul Solano, whether Ventura's failure to submit a counter-affidavit could mean a waiver of his right to do the same.

Assistant State Prosecutor Susan Villanueva, chairman of the panel, replied in the affirmative.

Ventura, who is facing charges for murder, robbery, violation of the Anti-Hazing Law and obstruction of justice, has never appeared in the DOJ hearings.

Ventura, who once served as the fraternity secretary, earlier narrated how his fraternity brothers took turns beating up Castillo inside the Aegis Juris library in Sampaloc, Manila in the wee hours of September 17.

Ventura also named some of Aegis Juris members who took part in the initiation and said fraternity leader Arvin Balag initially objected to bringing Castillo to the hospital after the 22-year-old University of Santo Tomas student collapsed following several beatings. — MDM, GMA News