Court baffled by Reynaldo Parojinog’s ‘conflicting choice;’ new trial bid nixed

MANILA, Philippines – The Quezon City Regional Trial Court has dismissed Reynaldo Parojinog Jr.’s bid to reopen his case in light of newly discovered evidence.

Last May 2019, Parojinog Jr. was found guilty of possession of illegal drugs during the 2017 simultaneous police operation where his father, Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog, was killed.

Seized by authorities from his house were one large heat-sealed plastic sachet containing five medium-sized plastic with shabu, a candy plastic box labeled “Tic Tac” containing 12 small plastic sachets of shabu, improvised glass pipes, 44 pieces of plastic cellophane, one light blue plastic box with pieces of folded and rolled aluminum foil, a pair of tongs and scissors.

He was meted the penalty of life imprisonment with P500,000 fine.

The court said Parojinog Jr’s action was “baffling” given that he already filed a motion for reconsideration, which was dismissed, and a notice of appeal, indicating that he would take his case to the Court of Appeals.

“This Court is of the opinion that the accused’s procedural strategy in question does not find support in the Rules, inasmuch as it befuddles the Court as to what the accused wants to achieve by his conflicting choices,” read the order written by QCRTC Branch 79 Presiding Judge Elvira D.C. Panganiban.

In taking his case to the Court of Appeals (CA), the Court explained that Parojnog Jr. wanted the CA to correct its decision that found him guilty. On the other hand, a motion for a new trial would mean that if granted, the trial court would abandon its original judgment and issue a new one.

The court further explained that taking the case to the CA would mean they would lose jurisdiction over the case while a new trial would reopen the case, retained jurisdiction and would conduct another round of hearing.

The court added that Parojinog Jr. also failed to attach the affidavits of witnesses to support his claim of newly discovered evidence. It added that the motion for new trial is also centered on illegal possession of firearms which should be best addressed to where the case is actually pending.