Masangkay slay suspect admits being his driver

CEBU, Philippines - The accused in the robbery and homicide of retired regional state prosecutor Hernando Masangkay admitted he was the on-call driver of the latter but denied being with him before he died.

During the pre-trial conference yesterday in the sala of Regional Trial Court Judge Ester Veloso, the 17-year-old, through his lawyer, admitted being the driver of Masangkay.

But when prosecution lawyer Richard Bauzon raised the issue whether the minor was with Masangkay prior to his death, Edgar Seguerra, the counsel of the accused, said the minor claimed he was in a mall to buy a lotto ticket.

Likewise, the defense did not admit that on same day the accused was absent from his night classes.

Bauzon also admitted the issue raised by the defense that up to the time Masangkay died, the complainant of the case, Masangkay’s son Reginald, was not living with his father.

The prosecution is set to present eight witnesses while the defense declined to reveal how many they had.

Bauzon said they are thankful at least the defense admitted the accused was indeed the driver of the victim as they will no longer have the burden of proving this.

“As they admitted that the accused was an on-call driver then there is a possibility that during the death of Masangkay he was with the victim,” Bauzon said.

Masangkay was found dead in his house in Talisay City last June 28, 2010. A gold necklace, a watch and P4,000 cash was missing from his house. (FREEMAN)