Court rejects petition of Plinky Recto's ex

MANILA, Philippines - The Court of Appeals (CA) Fourth Division turned down the petition of Pulupundan, Negros Occidental Mayor Magdaleno Peña to reconsider a criminal complaint filed by former girlfriend Plinky Recto for violence.

The court backed findings of the Department of Justice supporting the television host and actress' claim that Peña shoved her thrice and trapped her with a rattan chair.

The incident, according to the complaint, occurred in June 29, 2005 while the former couple were fighting in a Mandaluyong loft they used to share.

The state prosecutor's 2006 resolution found probable cause that Peña violated Republic Act 9262 or Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act.

CA's Associate Justice Eduardo Peralta said in a 19-page decision released issued last December that Peña had admitted to committing the acts against Recto, who is the sister of Senator Ralph.

The court, however, denied Recto's petition for a Permanent Protection Order, which may be granted for women victims of abuse, since in her case, the court sees no remaining threat that the abuse will repeat.

Peña, a lawyer by profession, was disbarred by the Supreme Court in 2005 for professional violations in accusing the high tribunal's justices of falsification and cover-up.