Court acquits Sandra Cam, son, 5 others in murder of Masbate town vice mayor

Former PCSO board member Sandra Cam. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / Arnold Almacen

MANILA, Philippines – The Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) has acquitted former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board member Sandra Cam, her son, and five others in the 2019 murder of Batuan, Masbate town vice mayor Charlie Yuson III.

Also acquitted by Manila (RTC) Branch 41 Presiding Judge Dinah Aguila-Topacio is Cam’s son Marco Martin, and five others–Nelson Cambaya, Junel Gomez, Juanito de Luna, Rido de la Cruz, and Bradford Solis.

“The prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt the guilt of the accused,” Atty. Buenaventura Miranda told reporters after the promulgation.

Cam’s son lost to Yuson’s son, Charmax Jan, in the 2019 mayoralty race.

In October 2019, Yuson, his aide Alberto Alforte and Wilfredo Pineda were having breakfast in an eatery in Manila when a gunman fired upon them. Alforte and Pineda survived the attack.

Relatives of the victim accused Cam of masterminding the killing, saying the gunman was previously seen at a resort in Masbate that she owned.

Cam has denied the allegations.

“Dismayado kami kasi buhay ng tatay ko yun tapos hindi pa namin nakuha ang hustisya pero aapela kami [We are disappointed especially since it involves the life of my father and we did not get the justice he deserves, so we will appeal],” Charmax Jan told reporters.

Meanwhile, Buenaventura said: “We are glad that today, justice has prevailed. Our clients has trusted the system.”

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