Fugitive businessman appeals Ruby Rose murder charges

MANILA, Philippines - Fishing magnate Lope Jimenez appealed yesterday a resolution of the Department of Justice (DOJ) indicting him, his brother and four others for the killing of Ruby Rose Barrameda-Jimenez, sister of former actress Rochelle Barrameda.

While being hunted down by police by virtue of warrant of arrest issued by a Malabon City regional trial court, Jimenez sent his lawyers to the DOJ to ask Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera to reverse the findings of investigating prosecutors that there was probable cause to indict him as the alleged mastermind of the murder.

In a petition for review, Jimenez said the probe panel led by Senior State Prosecutor Theodore Villanueva erred in filing the case in court based solely on the “extrajudicial admissions” of suspect-turned-witness Manuel Montero.

He insisted there was no independent and convincing evidence to prove conspiracy among those charged with murder and that there was “no conclusive proof that the body retrieved from a drum fished out of the Navotas waters was that of Ruby Rose.”

Last Aug. 24, prosecutors said Montero’s testimony seemed accurate and that his positive identification of the alleged masterminds and other respondents must be upheld.

On the same day, the murder case was filed at the Malabon RTC against Jimenez, his brother Manuel II, Montero, Eric Fernandez, Lennard Descalso, and Roberto Ponce.

Jimenez, in his appeal, said Montero’s silence about the alleged crime for the past two years should create “serious doubt” as to his real motive.

On the other hand, the victim’s family asked the hearing of the case to be transferred to Makati City, citing the perennial flooding of Judge Hector Almeyda’s courtroom and the security of their witnesses.

The request for transfer of venue will be heard today at Almeyda’s chambers, Barrameda family lawyer Rowena Guanzon said, adding that once their motion is granted, Almeyda can continue hearing the case in Makati City. – Edu Punay, Non Alquitran