Arrest warrant out vs ex-Batangas vice governor

BATANGAS , Philippines   – The Batangas City regional trial court has issued a warrant of arrest for former Batangas vice governor Ricky Recto in connection with the 1996 bombing attack on then Batangas governor Armando Sanchez.

In an order, Judge Ruben Galvez of RTC Fourth Judicial Region Branch 3 said there is “sufficient proof” that Recto “is probably guilty.” No bail was recommended for the former vice governor.

Galvez ordered police to serve the arrest warrant in Recto’s residence in Green Meadows, Quezon City.

In a resolution signed by city prosecutor Fidel Macauyag, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said it found probable cause to charge Recto as principal by inducement for the complex crime of double murder with frustrated murder.

Recto earlier had filed a motion for the inhibition of the Batangas City prosecutor that was apparently granted. The DOJ subsequently conducted a preliminary investigation, finding probable cause for murder against Recto and his co-accused.

Also charged as principals by direct participation were lawyer Christopher Belmonte, Christina Antonio, Bettina Balderama, 1Lt. Angelbert Gay, Lt. Senior Grade Kiram Sadava, and several John Does.

The court also issued arrest warrants against Belmonte, Antonio and Balderama last June 4.

Meanwhile, Gay and Sadava pleaded not guilty during their arraignment yesterday morning at the Batangas Hall of Justice.

In his order, Galvez said, “At this time, it is still baseless to contend that the evidence on hand could already establish the guilt of the accused (Recto) beyond reasonable doubt or the dismissal of the case on the ground that the pieces of evidence submitted fall short of the quantum of proof required, but the independent assessment of the court glaringly reveals the existence of probable cause.”

On June 1, 2006, a bomb exploded in Sanchez’s Hummer H-2 while he was on board the vehicle at the Batangas provincial capitol compound.

The explosion resulted in the death of Sanchez’s driver, Luisito Icaro, and close-in security, PO2 Eric Landicho.

Sanchez, who appeared to be the target of the explosion, sustained burns and other injuries.

On Sept. 14, 2006, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group recommended the filing of criminal charges against Recto and the other accused.

Recto, however, denied involvement in the planning, funding and execution of the bombing of Sanchez’s car.

Recto is a brother of National Economic Development Authority head Ralph Recto and brother-in-law of incumbent Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos.

The STAR tried to contact the former vice governor for comment on his arrest warrant but failed.