DOJ asked: Stop implementing reversal of junked qualified theft rap

Businessman and newly elected 1Pacman Partylist Rep. Michael Romero on Wednesday asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) to stop the execution of the resolution allegedly reversing the dismissal of a complaint for qualified theft filed against him.

In a manifestation submitted to the DOJ, Romero along with Harbour Centre Port Terminal Inc. (HCPTI) Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Edwin Jeremillo and Chief Finance Officer Edwin Joseph Galvez through their lawyer Norman Golez said they have filed an appeal with the Office of the President as mandated by Administrative Order (AO) 22.

AO 22, which mandates that the filing of a notice of appeal automatically stays the execution of a decision, resolution or order.

The AO also mandates the DOJ to transmit to the Office of the President the complete records of the case within 10 days.

Since there is already a pending appeal with the Office of the President, Romero said the DOJ should immediately stop the implementation of the resolution and submit all documents to Malacañang for review.

Acting Justice Secretary Emmanuel Caparas issued a resolution dated June 13 reversing the resolutions dated March 6, 2015 and April 21, 2015 issued by Assistant State Prosecutor Susan Dacanay as acting city prosecutor of Quezon City dismissing the qualified theft complaint against the three.

Caparas has been accused earlier by the Filipino Alliance for Transparency and Empowerment (FATE) of issuing midnight resolutions to favor parties in cases pending in the DOJ to which he already denied. RAM

READ: DOJ head dares transparency group: Prove claim on case meddling