DOJ to start probe on sedition raps vs. Robredo on August 9 over 'Bikoy' videos

Justice Sec. Menardo Guevarra and VP Leni Robredo / compiled photo from PCOO and Google(ctto)

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is reportedly set to begin the preliminary investigation into the complaint filed against Vice President Leni Robredo and her co-respondents in the so-called “Ang Totoong Narcolist” videos.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra confirmed that subpoenas and ordered to appear before the DOJ is scheduled on August 9.

"The subpoenas were served today. I assure everyone of utmost fairness in the resolution of this case," Guevarra said in a message sent to reporters, says a Philippine News Agency report.

"The evidence, or the lack of it, will speak for itself. In the ordinary course of things, the complaint shall be dismissed as to those respondents against whom no evidence is presented, while those against whom sufficient evidence is presented shall accordingly be indicted. Let’s wait until this process is completed," he added.

If recalled, the complaint was filed by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) last July 18.

Aside from Robredo, 34 others are also facing charges of sedition, inciting to sedition, cyber libel, libel, estafa, harboring a criminal/obstruction of justice.

Also included in the said complaint were former senator Antonio Trillanes IV; Jonnell P. Sangalang; Eduardo Acierto; Senators Ana Theresia N. Hontiveros-Baraquel and Leila de Lima; former Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) president Abdiel Fajardo; IBP President Domingo Egon Cayosa, former Supreme Court spokesman Theodore Te; lawyers Minerva Ambrosio, Serafin Salvador, and Philip Sawali.

Other respondents named were senatorial candidates in the recent polls Samira Gutoc-Tomawis, Paolo Benigno A. Aquino, lawyer Lorenzo "Erin" R. Tañada III, Gary Alejano, Florin Hilbay, Romulo Macalintal, and Jose Manuel Diokno were also charged.

Further, some Catholic Church officials and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) were also facing charges.

Guevarra has already formed a panel of prosecutors to handle the preliminary probe, namely; Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Olivia Torrevillas and Assistant State Prosecutors Michael John Humarang and Gino Paolo Santiago.

Source: PNA