DOJ designates prosecutor in Boratong case

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has designated a permanent prosecutor to handle all cases involving Amin Imam Boratong, the alleged operator of the dismantled shabu tiangge in Pasig City.

Prosecutor Marilete Balagtas’s appointment came following a warning from Judge Abraham Borreta, of the Pasig City Regional Trial Court Branch 154, that the cases against Boratong and his wife, Sheryl Molera, are in danger of being dismissed because of the prosecutors’ frequent absences.

"We have a new prosecutor who will handle all cases involving Boratong in the person of Marilete Balagtas," said Senior Superintendent Jojo Acierto, executive officer of the Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (AIDSOTF), which raided the drug den in February.

Acierto said he and Balagtas will meet this week to plan their moves before she goes to court on Dec. 7, the start of the pre-trial conference stage of Boratong’s case.

During Boratong’s arraignment of the case last Wednesday, Borreta emphasized to the prosecution that hearings on the case had to be postponed eight times because the DOJ prosecutors didn’t show up.

The prosecutors replied they either had to attend a wake and other obligations.

In the arraignment, no prosecutor was again present, prompting a warning from Borreta that the cases against Boratong might be dismissed because of failure to prosecute. "It’s better that the media are here. It is the 9th time that a public prosecutor failed to attend the hearing and the cases would be dismissed because of the failure to prosecute," he said.

With the designation of Balagtas, Acierto hoped that the cases against Boratong would result in a conviction.

Combined elements of the AIDSOTF, Special Action Force and Pasig City police raided the shabu drug den in Barangay Sto. Tomas on Feb. 10. At least 300 people were arrested and charged.

Boratong and Molera went into hiding after the raid but were arrested by NBI agents in Makati City last Nov. 21.

Boratong pleaded not guilty to the charges during the arraignment proceedings last Wednesday. Borreta entered a not guilty plea for Molera.

Both Boratong and Molera had asked Borreta to allow their continued detention at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), citing possible threats to their lives if they were detained in Pasig. Authorities believe that Boratong has officials on his payroll.

Borreta is scheduled to decide on their request this week. — Non Alquitran