Arraignment of ex-lawmaker’s son-in-law deferred

MANILA, Philippines—The arraignment of the son-in law of former Quezon City Representative Nanette Castelo-Daza for the fatal shooting of her ex-boyfriend two months ago has been deferred pending the Department of Justice’s findings on a second probe of the case.

Judge Luis Zenon Maceren of Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 218 reset the court date of Romeo Allan Robes, a Bulacan provincial board member, to April 23 at 8:30 a.m.

Robes was supposed to be arraigned Tuesday morning for his alleged role in the death of Noel Orate Sr., Daza’s former lover.

Eduardo Bringas, lawyer of the Orate family, said they were still waiting for the DOJ’s resolution on the results of the reinvestigation.

“The submission of the National Bureau of Investigation was a bit delayed so we are still anticipating the resolution on whether what charges will be filed,” said Bringas in an interview with the Inquirer.

Orate’s children had asked for a reinvestigation of their father’s death, alleging that the shooting was a case of murder and not the lesser crime of homicide as earlier charged in court.

Orate was shot dead inside the Daza home in Barangay Teachers’ Village on the night of February 10, an incident which the Dazas claimed was an instance of self-defense against Orate.

Robes who is married to Daza’s daughter, Quezon City councilor Jessica Castelo-Daza, surrendered to police and was initially charged with homicide. This was appealed by the Orate family.

In late February, the Quezon City court granted the bid for a reinvestigation. At the same time, Maceren issued a hold-departure order to bar Robes from leaving the country while the investigation is ongoing.