Orate kin submit more evidence for murder

MANILA, Philippines – The family of Noel Orate, slain ex-boyfriend of former lawmaker Nanette Castelo-Daza, submitted yesterday additional evidence in their bid to upgrade the homicide case against Allan Robes to murder.

Eduardo Bringas, who represents the Orate family, submitted before the Quezon City prosecutor several pieces of “documentary and object evidence.”

These include a medico-legal report by forensic pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun, a chemistry report showing Orate testing negative for gunpowder burns, a spot report of the Scene of the Crime Operatives team, and a firearm identification report, among others.

The lawyer representing Robes, a Bulacan provincial board member, said the manifestation filed by Bringas should be treated as a “scrap of paper.” Alfredo Villamor said the submission of additional evidence through a manifestation is not allowed during the preliminary investigation. He told reporters the additional evidence should be submitted in the form of a supplemental complaint affidavit.

Villamor said he suggested that the preliminary investigation be continued on Friday, but Bringas said they will ask the Department of Justice to take over the case from Assistant City Prosecutor Leonardo Raul Gonzalez.

Earlier, the court reverted back to the level of the fiscal the case following the motion of Orate’s family for a reinvestigation.

Robes, Daza’s son-in-law, and the ex-lawmaker’s family said he shot Orate in self-defense.