Ruby Rose slay case: Father-in-law, whistle-blower plead not guilty

MANILA, Philippines - Lawyer Manuel Jimenez II, father-in-law of murder victim Ruby Rose Barrameda-Jimenez, and whistle-blower Manuel Montero pleaded not guilty before Malabon Regional Trial Court Branch 170 Judge Hector Almeyda yesterday.

Their co-accused – Eric Fernandez, Spike Discalzo, Roberto Ponce and Rudy de la Cruz – were not in court but represented by their lawyers.

Lope Jimenez, owner of the Buena Suerte Jimenez (BSJ) Fishing and Trading Co., Manuel’s alleged estranged brother and one of the prime suspects in the killing, was not in court and remains at large.

The clerk of court asked the respondents whether the respondents were guilty or not of “handcuffing the victim’s hands behind her, binding her legs with tape, covered her head all over with tape, suffocating in the process, put her inside a steel drum, covered her body with cement, welded it shut in a steel case before it was thrown into the waters off Navotas City.”

A grim-faced Rochelle Barrameda, the victim’s sister, sobbed as the clerk of court went on.

Jimenez’s lawyer, Mario Aguinaldo, entered a plea of not guilty in behalf of his client, who was wheeled into the courtroom on a stretcher and brought to a waiting ambulance a few minutes after entering his plea. He was also escorted by members of the Metro Manila police’s Regional Mobile Group in full battle gear.

Early in the proceedings, Almeyda noted that the prosecution, not Montero’s lawyers, should have filed the motion to discharge him as an accused and turn him into a state witness. The motion was subsequently withdrawn.

Almeyda also granted a petition by the Barramedas to have Jimenez transferred from the Angono Medics Hospital, where he has been confined for the past two weeks, to the Philippine Heart Center (PHC) in Quezon City on Sept. 22.

Almeyda also told the PHC to send doctors to examine Jimenez as requested by the prosecution, within 48 hours after receiving the court order, and furnish both sides with the results of the medical examination.

Though Aguinaldo promised his client would not flee, Almeyda told Angono police chief Superintendent Rommel Estolano, who was in charge of Jimenez’s security detail, that “we understand it will be the end of the Angono police chief’s career” if Jimenez goes missing.

Jimenez’s petition for bail was set for hearing on Sept. 24.

State Prosecutor Cielito Celi said they have to show strong evidence for the court to deny Jimenez’s petition for bail.

Private lawyer Rowena Guanzon said their petition to change the place of trial, with Almeyda still presiding, from flood-prone Catmon, Malabon to Makati City is still pending with the Supreme Court. She said they asked for the transfer also due to possible security risks to witnesses.

Almeyda also cautioned lawyers of both parties to refrain from making any more comments on the merits of the case.

The admonition was prompted by Guanzon’s move to have Lope Jimenez’s lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, “cited in contempt of court for his remarks” Thursday night when he presented a witness alleging that Ruby Rose and Montero were involved in drugs and were in some kind of romantic or sexual relationship.

“In the first place, the case is already sub judice. Second, he is not the counsel of record. Third, Lope is still a fugitive to this day,” Guanzon said, adding that the victim’s family described the new witness’ claims as “all lies.”