Lawyer appeals son’s case vs 2 alleged car theft gang leaders

MANILA, Philippines—Lawyer Oliver Lozano is asking the Department of Justice (DoJ) to reconsider its decision approving the filing of car theft with homicide case instead of car theft with murder against Raymond and Roger Dominguez.

The two brothers have been accused of killing Oliver’s son, Emerson, and driver Ernanie Sencil on Jan. 12, 2011.

In his three-page motion for reconsideration, Lozano accused  panel members Assistant State Prosecutors Amor Robles, Eden Wakay-Valdez and Bernardo Fernandez of receiving P50 million bribe money to file a lesser offense against the accused.

“We believe that you were allegedly bribed for P50 million to unduly delay the resolution, downgrade (the case) and recommend San Fernando, Pampanga, as venue (of the trial),” Lozano said.

He said the resolution was “illegal, unjust and despotic” and that his family believed that the resolution “was purchased.”

“The ruthless killing must not be callously downgraded to homicide vis-a-vis the heavily grieving complainants and arrogantly gloating respondents in order to avoid the ignominious perception that there is dough in downgrading,” Lozano said.

In its resolution, the DOJ panel said there was lack of information on how Lozano and Sencil were killed.

Aside from the Dominguez brothers, the DOJ panel also found probable cause to indict for car theft with homicide  Jayson Miranda, alias “Soy”; Rolando Talban, alias “Eduardo Fernandez/Rolly”; Napoleon Salamat, alias “Pong”; and a certain alias Marlon.