Supreme Court orders Manila court to decide on Quirino grandson's bail plea

MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered with finality a Manila regional trial court (RTC) to immediately resolve a bail petition filed by a former president’s grandson, who is accused of murdering shipping scion Federico Delgado.

Luisito Quirino Gonzalez, the grandson of the late President Elpidio Quirino, is also the stepbrother of Delgado, son of shipping magnate Francisco Delgado, popularly known in the industry as Don Paco.

The SC’s latest decision come after the High Court’s First Division denied a petition of Gonzalez seeking reconsideration of its Dec. 17, 2008 ruling that directed Manila RTC Branch 32 to hear with “deliberate dispatch” the suspect’s application for bail pending a review of the decision of the Court of Appeals (CA) that dismissed the murder charges.

In a resolution promulgated last March 16 and released by the High Court’s public information office before the Holy Week break, the SC ordered the Manila RTC to conduct a summary hearing on the application for bail of Gonzalez and his driver and co-accused Antonio Buenaflor.

The lower court was also given 30 days upon receipt of a copy of the resolution to resolve Gonzalez’s petition.

“The grant or denial of bail in crimes punishable by reclusion perpetua hinges on the issue of whether or not the evidence of guilt of the accused is strong,” the high tribunal stated.

Delgado’s family asked the SC to reverse the CA decision dismissing the murder charges against Gonzalez and Buenaflor through a 52-page petition filed last Sept. 30.

Delgado’s siblings and girlfriend, Analisa Pesico, accused the CA of abusing its discretion when it set aside its previous decision affirming the justice department’s finding of probable cause against Gonzalez.

Delgado was killed on March 10, 2007 at his Manila apartment. Pesico, who was with him that time, survived the attack and identified Gonzalez and Buenaflor as their assailants. – Edu Punay