RTC rules on Ecleo appeal

THE ruling on the Notice of Appeal of fugitive Ruben Ecleo Jr. is out.

Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Soliver Peras, however, opted not to make public the contents until copies are received by the parties.

His staff in RTC branch 10 said they mailed copies of the resolution to the prosecution and Ecleo’s lawyers.

Prosecution lawyer Fritz Quiñanola appeared confident the ruling is in their favor.

“Ecleo will not be allowed an appeal. He committed so many violations,” Quiñanola told reporters yesterday.

He said the Notice to Appeal was “improper” because an appeal on a conviction that carries a penalty of reclusion perpetua must be filed with the Court of Appeals.

Ecleo, congressman of the district of Dinagat, Surigao del Norte, was found guilty of parricide for killing his wife Alona on Jan. 5, 2002.

The April 13 verdict carried a penalty of reclusion perpetua or 20 to 40 years of imprisonment and P26.3 million in damages.

His three new lawyers led by former Justice Secretary Sylvestre Bello III filed the Notice of Appeal on the conviction last April 27.

When they didn’t attend the hearing last May 2 prosecution lawyers pressed for the outright dismissal of the Notice of Appeal.

Aside from parricide, Ecleo has convicted of graft and corruption by the Sandigan Bayan and meted 31 years in prison. He graft and corruption was committed when he was still mayor of San Jose town in Dinagat, Surigao del Norte.

The Philippine National Police has placed a P150,000.00 bounty on Ecleo’s head.

Ecleo is also the supreme master of the cult Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association (PBMA).