DOJ clears Failon in obstruction case

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) has cleared ABS-CBN newscaster Ted Failon of charges of obstruction of justice in connection with the death of his wife Trina Etong in April last year.

In a resolution signed by then Secretary Agnes Devanadera last March 1, before she resigned from her post to pursue her congressional bid, the DOJ affirmed its earlier resolutions dismissing the complaint filed by Quezon City police against Failon and five others and denied with finality the appeal of the complainants.

The DOJ also cleared Carlota Morbis, Frida Bollicer, Pacifico Apacible, Glen Polan, and Pamela Arteche Trinchera.

During the preliminary investigation, Failon’s camp argued that it was impossible to commit the allegation since there was no crime to begin with.

His lawyers said that obstruction of justice only applies if a crime was committed. They said in this case, Failon’s wife committed suicide.

The DOJ already affirmed the decision of the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office, which dismissed the complaint of obstruction of justice filed against Failon (Mario Teodoro Etong in real life) and junked the petition for review filed by the police last Jan. 13.

The complaint was filed by Superintendents Franklin Moises Mabanag, Gerardo Ratuita, Chief Inspectors Enrico Figueroa, Cherry Lou Donato and Senior Inspector Roberto Razon of the Quezon City Police District.

Results of a probe by the National Bureau of Investigation showed that Trina was suffering from major depressive disorder when she shot herself on April 15, 2009 in their house in Quezon City.     – Edu Punay