Gunman appeals court’s decision

A day after he was convicted of shooting broadcaster Cirse “Choy” Torralba, John Lloyd Ortiz has filed a notice of appeal to the Regional Trial Court’s decision sentencing him from eight to 12 years in prison for frustrated murder.

Through his counsel, Ortiz, 24, immediately appealed before the RTC, asking that the records of the case be transmitted to the Court of Appeals. Under the rules, Ortiz has 15 days to file a motion for reconsideration of the lower court’s decision.

However, Ortiz waived his right to file a motion for reconsideration, opting instead to immediately appeal RTC Judge Alma Estella Singco’s decision.

Torralba, in an earlier interview, admitted that he is wary of the case reaching the appellate court because of Ortiz’s alleged “connections.”

According to Torralba, he was told that Ortiz’s aunt is working with the CA in Cebu. He, however, said that he remained hopeful that justice will prevail. 

In a 29-page ruling, Singco sentenced Ortiz to a maximum of 12 years imprisonment after he was found guilty of frustrated murder for trying to kill Torralba four years ago. The court also ordered Ortiz to pay P161,214.47 as actual damages.

Torralba was shot at around 1:45 p.m. on June 8, 2004 outside the Angel Radio studio, where he had a weekday noon-time program, located along Juana Osmeña Street.

He had just finished lunch and had entered his vehicle when a man he later identified as Ortiz opened fire at his vehicle, hitting him three times.

According to Torralba, he would have been shot fatally had he not been able to return fire using his .38 cal. five-shot Smith & Wesson revolver.

“Torralba’s closeness to Ortiz’s girlfriend, Yvonne Igbuhay, was believed to have been the motive behind the shooting. – Fred P. Languido/LPM