Actress' ex-aide cleared of theft raps

MANILA, Philippines -  A former personal assistant of actress Jennylyn Mercado was acquitted of qualified theft yesterday.

Judge Vivencio Baclig of Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 77 said the prosecution failed to prove that Rowena Pulmano forged Mercado’s signature in 19 checks for the total amount of P460,272.

“Although the court is not certain as to her (Pulmano’s) innocence, it is also not certain as to her guilt; hence, it is its duty to acquit her,” read the decision.

“Complainant Jennylyn Mercado and her talent manager Rebecca Aguila even admitted that they did not know who signed the checks bearing her allegedly forged signature of the complainant; and that the signatures of the later in those checks may have been forged by another person, and not the accused.”

Court records show Mercado had authorized Pulmano to take care of her account with the United Coconut Planters Bank. On Oct. 6, 2008, Mercado found out that her P80,000 in the bank had been reduced to P20,000. Mercado had accused Pulmano of forging her signatures in her 19 checks and withdrawing P460,272 from the bank.

Pulmano is still in jail because of similar but separate cases against her pending in other courts.