MANILA, Philippines—A Quezon City court has officially admitted Alfred Mendiola as a witness against the Dominguez brothers in connection with the death of car dealer Venson Evangelista in January 2011.
Judge Ma. Luisa Q. Padilla of Regional Trial Court Branch 215 formally dropped the accused-turned-witness from the charge sheet, thus admitting him as a state witness.
This means Mendiola no longer has any criminal liability in connection with Evangelista’s murder, which is believed to have been perpetrated by the brothers Raymond and Roger Dominguez.
“This court is satisfied that there is absolute necessity for the testimony of Mendiola because he has knowledge of the commission of the crime … and there is no direct evidence available for the proper prosecution of the offense except for his testimony,” the 12-page order read.
Padilla issued the order dated Sept. 29 but released it to the public only on Tuesday (Oct. 4).
Mendiola was among those initially charged with car theft with homicide, along with the Dominguezes, Jayson Miranda, and Rolando Talban who remained at large, as of Tuesday.
Mendiola has admitted that he pretended to be a buyer of the Toyota Land Cruiser that Evangelista was selling on the day he was abducted at the car shop in Cubao.
Mendiola and Ferdinand Parulan eventually surrendered days after the charred remains of Evangelista were found dumped in Cabanatuan City. The pair pointed to the Dominguez brothers as the masterminds.
Parulan was earlier dropped from the charge sheet as it was proven that he did not participate in the crime.
In her ruling, Padilla said Mendiola “does not appear to be the most guilty,” a requirement for admitting state witnesses.
She pointed out that he only acted as poseur-buyer on orders of the Dominguez brothers.
“This court is likewise fully satisfied that the testimony of the accused can be substantially corroborated in its material points by other evidence, testimonial and physical,” the court said.
Padilla added that Mendiola has not yet been convicted of any offense “involving moral turpitude.”