Daza son-in-law won't flee Phl - lawyer

MANILA, Philippines - The lawyer of Bulacan provincial board member Allan Robes said yesterday his client has no intention of fleeing from the case filed against him in connection with the death of Noel Orate.

Alfredo Villamor issued this statement in response to the hold departure order being sought by Orate’s children.

During the hearing at the Regional Trial Court Branch 218 yesterday afternoon, Robes was given 10 days to respond to the petition filed by Orate’s family for the reinvestigation on the case filed against him.

Robes is the son-in-law of former congresswoman Nanette Castelo-Daza, Orate’s estranged girlfriend.

Robes and the Daza family said he killed Orate in self-defense since Orate had held the family hostage on the night of Feb. 10. Orate’s children said it could not have been an act of self-defense since their father was shot five times.

Orate’s children are asking the court to revert the case back to the prosecutor, saying murder, instead of homicide, should have been filed in court against Robes.

The court set Robes’ arraignment on March 18.