CA stops Ruby Rose murder trial

MANILA, Philippines - A temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the Court of Appeals halted the two-year-old trial on the killing of Ruby Rose Barrameda.

Barrameda’s sister, Rochelle, told The STAR that the TRO was issued on Dec. 12 and will last for 60 days, thus, postponing yesterday’s scheduled hearing in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig.

In a separate interview, Rochelle’s private lawyer Franklin Sunga said he has yet to receive a copy of the court document, although state lawyers have already been furnished.

Sunga said they will have to study the TRO first before deciding on their next move.

Barrameda went missing in 2007 until her body, placed inside a steel drum, was fished from waters off Navotas in 2009 through the help of Manuel Montero.

Montero, the sole witness in the case, used to work for Barrameda’s father-in-law Manuel Jimenez, who is one of the accused in the murder.

Also accused were Barrameda’s husband, Manuel Jimenez III, and uncle-in-law Lope Jimenez. The three have denied involvement in the killing.

Last October, Rochelle complained about the snail-paced trial, saying the court hears the case only once a month since the proceedings were transferred to Camp Bagong Diwa.