Masbate governor cleared in murder of political rival

A Quezon City court on Wednesday acquitted Masbate Gov. Antonio Kho of charges that he masterminded the murder of his political rival Rep. Tito Espinosa sixteen years ago, GMA 7's DZBB reported. Judge Teresa Yadao of the QC regional trial trial court-Branch 181 instead meted a life sentence against Blas Rosario, the only suspect positively identified by witnesses, for acting as the gunman. In a 22-page decision, Yadao deemed that the prosecution failed to show beyond reasonable doubt that Kho, Roberto Pidloan and Arnel Quidato were indeed involved in the crime. Court records showed on Feb. 28, 1995, around 8 p.m., Espinosa was on board a Daihatsu Feroza jeep when three armed men ambushed him at the corner of Commonweath Avenue and IBP Road in Quezon City.-GMANews.TV