More witnesses vs Leviste

The Department of Justice (DOJ) will present seven more witnesses to prove there is strong evidence that former Batangas governor Jose Antonio Leviste is guilty of murdering his long-time aide.

Senior State Prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco said the witnesses they will present before Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 150 Judge Elmo Alameda starting April 25 include Dr. Voltaire Pacual Nulud, Superintendent Juanita Ramos, Police Officer 3 Miriam Ciocon, Police Officer 2 Herman Panabang, Police Officer 1 Elmer Manuel and non-uniformed personnel Arturo Relos and Beethoven de Rama.

Velasco said the list of their witnesses was in compliance with Alameda’s March 28 order directing the prosecution panel to present the names of their witnesses in opposing Leviste’s petition to post bail.

Velasco said the list of their witnesses will bolster the contention of the prosecution panel that Leviste should not be allowed to post bail because the evidence of his guilt is strong.

He said Nulud is the medico-legal officer of the Southern Police District who conducted the autopsy on the body of Leviste’s victim, Rafael de las Alas.

In his petition for bail, Leviste said the evidence presented against him by the prosecution panel is weak and that the right to post bail, even if the offense charge against him involved heinous crime, is guaranteed by the Constitution. – Jose Rodel Clapano