Lim son posts bail
The Manila Regional Trial Court has allowed the son of Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim to post a bail of P400,000 after it found the prosecution evidence presented so far as “weak.” Judge Adelina Calderon-Bargas of Manila RTC Branch 13 noted that the prosecution “did not file any opposition or comment on the petition for bail” filed by lawyers of Manuel Lim and his coaccused, Ronald Pascual and Joel Sabado on April 21. Although the three were charged with the non-bailable offense of drug pushing, the court ruled that in cases where evidence was not strong, the presumption of innocence is with the accused. The 44-year-old businessman, who was jailed at the PDEA detention center in Quezon City, paid the bail in cash at the Office of the Clerk of Court around 4 p.m. Wednesday. His coaccused have yet to post bail. The accused were indicted for violations of Sec. 5 and Sec. 15 of R.A. 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002). Around 100 grams of shabu valued at P340,000 were allegedly seized from them in a buy-bust operation by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on March 14 in Sta. Cruz, Manila. Lim, who admitted being a drug user, claimed he was merely buying P500 worth of shabu. Allison W. Lopez
Mandaluyong’s ‘discipline zone’
The Mandaluyong City government and local enforcement authorities Thursday designated Kalentong Avenue a “discipline zone” to curb instances of petty crimes and other illegal activities in the area. Mayor Benhur Abalos said the initiative entails increasing police patrol teams in the area and deploying local enforcement groups to monitor and implement ordinances and national laws in the busy avenue. The police will be augmented by 100 members of the local enforcement group, Abalos said. Apart from keeping peace and order in the thoroughfare, the monitoring teams are also tasked to keep the flow of traffic smooth and keep vendors in line. Abalos said they chose Kalentong Ave. because it is a major link to other cities like Manila, San Juan, Pasig and Quezon City. Kristine L. Alave
Trader wounds partner, kills ‘lover’
A 44-year-old businessman seriously wounded his live-in partner and stabbed dead her alleged lover after he allegedly caught them naked inside their rented room in Barangay Batasan Hills, Quezon City Thursday. Francisco Rebucan, 44, of Sta. Cruz, Manila, was taken to the Quezon City Police District in Camp Karingal, Quezon City after he admitted stabbing his live-in partner, Adelfa Zita, 25. Rebucan also admitted killing a man identified only as “Lester.” The suspect turned himself in to authorities after the incident, said village watchman Randy Samson. Zita is still in critical condition at the East Avenue Medical Center. Lester, on the other hand, died as he was being treated in the hospital. “I don’t regret anything. I’ve suffered long enough because of them,” Rebucan told the Inquirer. He said Zita left him and their children five months ago after he discovered her relationship with Lester, their errand boy at his fruit stall in Quiapo. Samson said they took the suspect under their custody after he calmly surrendered and turned over a knife to them. Residents sought our help after they heard a commotion inside the house,” Samson added. Police said they would file murder and frustrated murder charges against Rebucan. Marlon Ramos
