Quirino grandson asks court to junk murder raps

The lawyers of a grandson of President Elpidio Quirino and his driver asked the Manila Regional Trial Court yesterday to dismiss the murder and serious physical injuries charges against their clients after the Court of Appeals voided the information filed by the Department of Justice.

In a motion, former justice secretary Estelito Mendoza and retired Manila fiscal Jose Flaminiano said the warrants of arrest against Luisito Gonzalez and his driver, Antonio Buenaflor, be lifted and that they be immediately released from detention.

“Without a complaint or information, there is no case over which the court may exercise jurisdiction. That means, without a complaint or information, a court in a criminal case may not issue a warrant of arrest or commitment order over the accused,” the motion read.

Gonzalez was accused of the murder of his stepbrother, 51-year-old year-old businessman, Federico Delgado.

Delgado was found dead with stab wounds on March 10, 2007 in his apartment in the family-owned Mayflower Building on Leon Guinto street in Malate, Manila.

The case is being handled by Manila Regional Trial Court Judge Thelma Medina. – Sandy Araneta