Bantag camp files motion for reconsideration, insists on transfer of cases to Ombudsman

The camp of suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag on Tuesday filed a motion for reconsideration regarding his dismissed motion that sought to transfer the Percy Lapid case to the Office of the Ombudsman.

Bantag, the alleged mastermind in the killing of broadcaster Percy Lapid and inmate Jun Villamor, did not personally attend the preliminary investigation at the Department of Justice of the two complaints of murder he is facing.

Bantag's lawyer, Atty. Rocky Balisong, said they raised the issue of the pending murder complaint Bantag filed against Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and other respondents before the Ombudsman.

“And this is a new matter which should be addressed. This is not prevailing during the time that we filed the motion for inhibition,” Balisong said in an ambush interview.

“So under the rules on filing motion for reconsideration, it should be granted based on newly-discovered evidence or new developments which arose and which were not available or prevailing at the time the motion was filed,” he added.

According to Balisong, they had yet to file their counter-affidavit.

It has been three months since the first hearing on the case was held.

“Hindi pa because this has to be disposed of. Of course, we’re ready to file our counter-affidavit but it should be before an independent and impartial tribunal,” Balisong said.

Balisong reiterated that there is an issue of impartiality with the Department of Justice (DOJ) due to the supposed dispute between Remulla and Bantag.

“So bakit natin ilalagay doon sa isang ahensya na may question sa [kanyang] impartiality na pwede namang ilagay doon sa ahensya na may concurrent jurisdiction whose impartiality has not been questioned,” Balisong said.

The department’s panel of prosecutors said there was no violation of Bantag’s right to due process as the panel remained independent and impartial.

Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Charlie Guhit said the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Mabasa waived their right to file a comment on the newly submitted motion.

“Now, in so far as Cristina Amago, she asked for time whether to submit her comment or not,” he said. Amago is Villamor’s sister. —NB, GMA Integrated News