Ortiz against Choy’s move to scrap bail

Frustrated murder convict John Lloyd Ortiz yesterday asked the court to reject the move of radioman Cirse “Choy” Torralba to cancel his bail bond and place him behind bars.

Ortiz argued that Torralba’s motion must be junked because he still has a pending appeal of his conviction by the Regional Trial Court.

Haide Acuña, counsel of Ortiz, said, “Conviction before the trial court alone is insufficient reason to recall the bail posted by Ortiz. It must be stressed that the accused still enjoys a constitutionally guaranteed right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty by final judgment.”

The 24-year-old Ortiz already appealed his conviction at the Court of Appeals asking for a reversal of the RTC decision that found him guilty for frustrated murder in the slay attempt of Torralba on June 8, 2004.

Acuña said Ortiz is always ready to face the case, saying that “is all years that this case dragged on before the trial court, not once, did he show any propensity to flee or frustrate the processes of the honorable court.”

“Why should the accused flee? The adverse judgment handed down by the court is merely a temporary setback because the trek to justice is a long and arduous quest for truth and the accused will find vindication if not before this court, then before higher courts,” said Acuña.

Both parties have agreed to submit the case for resolution.

The contention of Torralba’s lawyers has been that it would be possible for Ortiz to flee to an unknown destination, and an undue risk that he may commit another crime if allowed to enjoy liberty after his conviction.

RTC-branch 12 Judge Estela Alma Singco sentenced Ortiz to 12 years in jail.  — Rene U. Borromeo/RAE