Regional Trial Court Judge Monina Zenarosa of Branch 76 dismissed the case against Jose Marie Pimentel, of Barangay Laging Handa. The Court also granted the motion to dismiss and abate prosecution filed by Pimentel through his legal counsel Rodolfo Jimenez.
The son of the former "Kuwarta o Kahon" host Pepe Pimentel was arrested by operatives of the Central Police District (CPD) Station 10 on March 3 based on a complaint filed against him by a female friend, who accused him of raping her inside the Café Estela apartelle on Dr. Lazcano Street on March 3, 2002.
In a three-page order, Zenarosa said the court determined there was no sufficient evidence to sustain the prosecution of the accused for the crime of rape.
The court also ordered the Quezon City jail warden to immediately release Pimentel from custody. – Pia Lee-Brago