Lawyer seeks transfer of Daza son-in-law's trial

MANILA, Philippines - The lawyer of the heirs of slain drug firm executive Noel Orate Sr. has asked the Supreme Court (SC) to transfer the trial of his alleged killer, Romeo Allan Robes, from Quezon City to Makati City.

“My clients firmly believe that there will be a travesty of justice if the case of their father will remain in Quezon City,” said lawyer Eduardo Bringas in his letter to court administrator Midas Marquez.

Orate is the estranged lover of Robes’ mother-in-law, former congresswoman Nanette Castelo Daza. Robes recently resigned from his post as Bulacan provincial board member.

In his letter dated June 11, Bringas said their request for the High Court to order a “transfer of venue” was “to prevent a miscarriage of justice.”

Citing that the families of Robes and his wife, Councilor Jessica Castelo Daza, are “influential political clans not only in Quezon City but also in Bulacan,” Bringas asked the SC to include the “urgent request” in its calendar for the next scheduled session.

Bringas said “the Castelo political clan in Quezon City is very powerful. My clients have vital witnesses but (they) are afraid to testify for fear of reprisal.”

Orate was shot dead in the Daza residence by Robes on Feb. 10. The Daza family claimed Orate held them hostage and what Robes did was an act of self-defense.

Orate’s children questioned the Daza family’s claim, saying that their father suffered several gunshot wounds.