After over 6 years litigation: Slight injury charge vs. family dismissed

A missing face powder box had resulted in a fight between a family of four and a young woman in barangay Tejero, and cost the government thousands in litigation expenses for the judge, the prosecutor and public attorney in a trial that lasted for more than six years.

Regional Trial Court judge Olegario Sarmiento Jr. finally dismissed the charge of slight physical injury saying that both the complainant and the accused suffered injuries in a fight arising from a face powder box that was lost.

The judge said the public prosecutor for complainant Romela del Mar has failed to establish the guilt of the accused, Natalia Maquilan and her daughters Esapie and Anarie, and son Anthony, represented by the Public Attorney's Office.

The fight occurred on July 30, 1999 when Del Mar was looking for her face powder box and alleged that somebody from among the Maquilans had stolen it, particularly Esapie who she said had access to her house.

Del Mar, after inspecting the bags of Natalia and Esapie failed to prove her claims, resulting to a heated argument. Esapie's siblings and mother came to her rescue that subsequently triggered the skirmish. Del Mar claimed that the Maquilans ganged up on her prompting her to file a case of slight physical injury against the latter.

After several trials that dragged the case to over six years, the court finally dismissed the case saying that both parties suffered injuries anyway. - Rene U. Borromeo