Gov’t lawyers press for recusal of Manila judge in Espinosa cases

Government prosecutors on Friday filed a two-page motion for reconsideration seeking the recusal of a Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) from hearing the illegal drug trafficking and illegal gun possession cases against self-confessed drug trafficker Kerwin Espinosa.

In a hearing on Friday, the state prosecutors urged Manila RTC Branch 26 Presiding Judge Silvino Pampilo, Jr. to reverse his decision not to inhibit from hearing Espinosa’s cases.

State prosecutors have earlier filed a motion asking Pampilo to inhibit from hearing the cases after he allowed a witness to recant his testimony.

The witness, Jose Antipuesto, who had worked as a bodyguard for Espinosa, recanted his testimony against his former employer after claiming that he was threatened by the police.

READ: Former bodyguard of Kerwin Espinosa recants testimony

Pampilo however denied the prosecutors’ motion and refused to inhibit. According to him, the motion lacks merit as the allegations of bias were made without sufficient evidence.

State prosecutors on Friday then filed their motion for reconsideration insisting that Pampilo’s actions are “valid causes” for his inhibition.

“The presiding judge’s actions and its consequent effects are valid causes for the inhibition of the presiding judge. It is a clear indication of bias and it is no mere suspicion,” the motion read.

Espinosa’s cases now being heard by the Manila court are connected to a drug buy-bust operation conducted by police in Albuera, Leyte last July.     /muf