Dismissal of Julian Ongpin’s drug case ‘a meritorious act of justice’ — Enrile

Julian Ongpin is lucky to be free.

Former Senator Juan Ponce Enrile has lauded the court decision junking the drug raps against Ongpin, saying justice has prevailed.

Ongpin is the son of business tycoon Roberto Ongpin. Enrile and the elder Ongpin previously worked as defense and trade ministers during the Marcos administration, respectively.

Enrile, a lawyer by profession, heaped praises on La Union Judge Romeo Agacita Jr. for issuing a “very lucid and well-written decision.”

Ongpin has been accused of violating the country’s drug law in connection with the cocaine alleged found in the room that he shared with visual artist Breanna “Bree” Jonson.

But judge Agacita threw out the criminal case for lack of probable cause to issue a warrant of arrest against the accused. The court noted lapse in the chain of custody when the confiscated cocaine was not immediately marked during the seizure. Such lapse puts into serious doubts the evidentiary value and integrity of the seized items, the court said.

“I must say that Julian Roberto S. Ongpin was fortunate in having such a very judicious and capable judge to hear and try his case,” Enrile said on Facebook.

Enrile said the judge meticulously analyzed the case, step by step, according to existing and current precedents and jurisprudence, to arrive at his decision to dismiss the case against Ongpin.

“The decision of Judge Agacita, JR. is truly a meritorious act of justice,” he said.

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Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)