Valera pleads not guilty in Bersamin slay

MANILA, Philippines –  Former Abra governor Vicente Valera was arraigned yesterday before a Quezon City court for murder in connection with the killing of former Abra lawmaker Luis Bersamin and his bodyguard in December 2006.

Valera’s lawyer, Rolando Quimbo, said Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 94 entered a plea of not guilty for his client.

“Valera refused to enter a plea because of his pending petition for review before the CA (Court of Appeals) over the issue of probable cause (to indict him in court),” Quimbo said in an interview.

Judge Roslyn Rabara-Tria ordered Valera’s arraignment for two counts of murder and one count of frustrated murder.

The former governor, along with several others, is facing charges for allegedly masterminding the assassination of Bersamin, his political rival. The other accused in the case are Leo Bello, Jerry Turqueza, Sunny Taculao, Freddie Dupo and Rufino Panday.

Bersamin’s bodyguard, SPO1 Adelfo Ortega, was also killed in the attack that happened outside the Mt. Carmel Church on Dec. 16, 2006 after Bersamin attended a wedding. Also wounded was his driver, Allan Sawadan, and a parking attendant.

Valera filed a petition before the CA and asked for the review of the order of Judge Luisito Cortez of the QCRTC Branch 84, who initially handled his case, upholding his indictment for murder and frustrated murder.

Cortez eventually inhibited himself from the case, which was then raffled off to Tria’s sala, a family court. In June 2010, Valera pleaded not guilty to the frustrated murder charge for the injuries sustained by the parking attendant.