Remulla: DOJ will still pursue ‘sabungeros’ case

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday vowed to pursue criminal cases involving the missing “sabungeros” or cockfight enthusiasts despite the issuance of an affidavit of desistance by a family member of one of the victims.

“We’re not letting go of anything. The state can still continue the case even with the desistance of the families,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said, in an interview.

A family member of one of the missing “sabungeros” has issued an affidavit of desistance asking the DOJ to drop the charges in court against the suspects.

“The person executed an affidavit of desistance in case number one,” Remulla said. “Among the eight cases involving the missing ‘sabungeros’ being prosecuted, case number one is the only case where a warrant of arrest has been issued against suspects related to the Manila Arena,” Remulla lamented.

The DOJ chief said that “case number one” has six accused persons, including a certain Julie Patidongan. He, however, did not give the names of the five other suspects and the names of the victims.

Earlier, the Philippine National Police had disclosed that a total of 34 “sabungeros” have been missing since 2021.

The affidavit of desistance “is very alarming because this is the only case where accused Patidongan and others are implicated in the missing ‘sabungero’ cases,” Remulla said.

from bilateral and multilateral ODA partners alike, particularly for projects considering multiple country participation including China as a member of the ADB, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and the World Bank, so that might affect the implementation of those projects,” Diokno said.

It would also impact the procurement of locally-funded projects and even public-private partnership implementation, especially if the main contractors, suppliers, or subcontractors are Chinese firms, he added.

Diokno also cited the possible impact on the economy if delays in these big-ticket projects take place.

“And of course, we have to shift to the financing for those projects that have been requested from China,” he said.