DOJ ends preliminary probe on Batangas fiscal’s slay

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) has concluded its preliminary investigation on the murder charges filed against former mayor Ana Marie Mendoza of Sta. Teresita, Batangas, and two others in connection with the killing of assistant provincial prosecutor Alexander Sandoval last June 13.

In a hearing at the DOJ in Manila the other day, Prosecutors Jayvee Lawrence Bandong and Omar Cris Casimiro submitted the case for resolution after the respondents, including Mendoza’s husband Hermogenes and Richard Briones failed to file their counter-affidavits.

Mendoza’s lawyer Norberto Malit initially requested for more time to file their affidavits claiming they were not given a copy of the complaint. The investigating panel denied their request.

Malit said they would appeal the decision of the panel.

The former mayor, who is facing charges of illegal possession of firearms before a local court in Batangas, attended the hearing along with her supporters.

The DOJ approves criminal charges when sufficient evidence is presented and when the charges were not contested during preliminary investigation or when respondents failed to submit answers.

Earlier this week, the prosecutors approved the filing of murder charges against the alleged gunman, Jayson Espejo, before the Batangas regional trial court.

Espejo, who was arrested shortly after the incident, tagged the respondents as the brains in Sandoval murder.

The DOJ panel did not find probable cause to indict the three respondents and recommended the case for further investigation.

The panel only approved the filing of illegal possession of firearms charges against Mendoza.