Ramgen sister wants charges junked

MANILA, Philippines - A sister of slain actor Ram Revilla (real name Ramgen Bautista) and her husband sought yesterday the dismissal of the charges against them in connection with her brother’s death.

The lawyers of Revilla’s girlfriend, Janelle Manahan, earlier filed a supplemental complaint against Gail Bautista Furuyama and her husband, Hiro, for their alleged involvement in the planning of the Oct. 28 attack on the actor and Manahan.

The couple said in their four-page counter-affidavit that the murder and frustrated murder charges against them are “mere hearsay” and they are asking the prosecutor handling the case, Lean Roma, to inhibit herself. The Furuyamas are the third batch of suspects in the case.

The first set – Ramon Joseph Bautista, Francis Tolisora and Michael Nartea – is scheduled to be arraigned on Jan. 17 while the charges against the second set of respondents – Ramona Bautista, Glaiza Visda, and Norwyn de la Cruz – are up for resolution before the Parañaque City prosecutor’s office.

Manahan questioned Gail’s actions after Ram’s death, which she felt were unusual for a grieving sister. Manahan alleged that Gail showed no signs of panic when Ramona told her over the phone that Ram had been shot.

Manahan added that when Gail, Hiro, Ramona and Ramon Joseph visited her in the hospital, not one of them showed worry or concern over Ram’s death. She also wondered why Ramona’s previous statement that she was kidnapped by the attackers was supported by her siblings.

The city prosecutor set another hearing on the case on Jan. 10 before it will be submitted for resolution.