John-john ignores chance to controvert accusations

Former Cebu vice governor, John Gregory “John-john” Osmeña, and five other respondents ran out of time and lost their chance to submit their counter-affidavits in the pseudoephedrine smuggling case.

The Department of Justice wrapped up its preliminary investigation yesterday, and the prosecutors said they had given Osmeña and his lawyer Edgar Gica enough time to controvert the evidence from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

Besides Osmeña, other respondents that failed to submit their counter affidavits were Mike Cummins, Dirk Hults, Malou Milagros Legaspi, Michael Sanchez and Alexander Castro —the alleged incorporators of Coastside Ventures Inc., consignee of the ephedrine shipment.

Senior state prosecutor Achimedes Manabat said, “I think we have given them enough time to submit their counter affidavit.  I believe 45 days, bakit ibang respondents naka-submit ng counter-affidavit,” Manabat said.

Manabat said the DOJ prosecutors can no longer extend the deadline of these documents so they will resolve the case based on the affidavits and evidences that the PDEA and its witnesses had already submitted.

Manabat said the hearing of the case will be in Cebu City.

Osmeña, who is believed to be in the United States, also failed to appear last April 12 for the preliminary investigation of the case.

He and 10 others were indicted for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act for their alleged involvement in illegal drug importation in 2004 of P3.65 billion worth of pseudoephedrine from China to the Port of Cebu.

Pseudoephedrine is a precursor in the manufacture of shabu.   — Ramil V. Ayuman/RAE