Lawyers of accused in Pastor slay told to present proof

The judge handling the murder case of international racing champ Enzo Pastor on Tuesday ordered the lawyers of accused Domingo “Sandy” de Guzman III and Dalia Guerrero-Pastor to submit written authority as counsel from their clients.

Judge Luisito Cortez of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 85 granted the request of private prosecutor Enrique de la Cruz that the lawyers present proof that they were authorized to represent the accused on account of De Guzman and Dalia’s nonappearance in court despite the arrest warrants against them. “They seem to be fooling the court. They haven’t been arrested despite the warrants of arrest. And yet their lawyers are here in court. So we want to clarify if their clients really want these lawyers to represent them,” De la Cruz told reporters after the hearing.

De la Cruz added that the accused have filed several motions requesting orders from the court despite their failure to appear. “Our position is that if you’re hiding from the law, what right do you have to seek justice?” De la Cruz said. Dalia’s counsel Ruy Rondain and De Guzman’s lawyer Charls Mark Parcia both said they had no knowledge of their clients’ whereabouts although they believe the two have not left the country.

The court also issued a subpoena against broadcaster Noli de Castro and the cameraman who taped his interview with alleged gunman PO2 Edgar Angel. De la Cruz said the broadcaster could help corroborate the notary public’s testimony that Angel, who had linked Dalia and De Guzman to the crime, executed his affidavit voluntarily.

Enzo Pastor was shot dead in June last year allegedly by a gunman hired by De Guzman who conspired with Dalia. According to a witness, the two were lovers.–Erika Sauler