Guard in hit-and-run case accepts settlement

ALL’s well that ends well.

The security guard who was a victim of a hit-and-run incident involving a sports utility vehicle (SUV) near a mall in Mandaluyong City last year has agreed to an amicable settlement of the case.

“Nag-settle…And tinanggap naman dahil sabi nga e, kahit dalawang taon siyang hindi magtrabaho bilang security guard, mas malaki pa yung naibigay yata sa kanya na financial assistance,” said lawyer Federico Biolena, counsel of security guard Christian Floralde.

Biolena refused to disclose the settlement amount.

A video that later went viral captured the incident when the SUV, driven by Jose Antonio Sanvicente, ran over Floralde.

Based on the video, prosecutors found probable cause to charge Sanvicente in court with frustrated homicide, saying there was intent to kill Floralde.

They noted that Sanvicente did not even slow down, stop the care, or change direction after Floralde was pinned by the suspect’s vehicle. Sanvicente eventually pleaded not guilty to the charge. According to Biolena, the settlement led to the dismissal of the frustrated homicide charge against Sanvicente by a Mandaluyong court because his client accepted the defense of the accused.

“It was a necessary consequence… if there is no complainant, how can the case progress? And then yun na nga, tinatanggap naman ni Floralde yung depensa na talagang purely accidental, hindi sinasadya yung pagkasagasa sa kanya kung kaya’t pumayag na siya i-settle,” the lawyer explained.

Order and Safety. Bautista asserted that she is open to an investigation.

“I ask that I be relieved of my position so as not to taint the good name of our Director General,” she said.

The BuCor said Aro was also relieved as the superintendent of the Davao Prison and Penal Farm. His deputy, Rufino Martin, was designated as acting superintendent. Maricel V. Cruz

Laogan said giving them amnesty would also protect them, not just from corrupt immigration personnel, but from abusive law enforcers engaged in protection rackets victimizing illegal aliens.

The BI official said a significant number of foreigners – mostly Chinese, Indians and a few South Koreans – have been illegally staying and working in the country over the years.

“Some of them became undocumented because their passports were cancelled,” he said.

Most of the illegal Indians are engaged in business, while the Chinese seek employment in stores, mining companies and restaurants, he added.