Drug raps filed vs actor, 4 pals

MANILA, Philippine s- Drug charges were filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) yesterday against a male talent of GMA-7 and four others who were arrested by anti-illegal drug operatives of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in a buy-bust operation in Antipolo City last Wednesday night.

Vivo Ouano, 21, who stars in GMA-7’s afternoon drama “Sinner or Saint,” were charged along with fellow Starstruck talent search product Jericho Rizalado, 22, and Jojo Pangilinan, 22; Charles Joseph Lacson, 25; and Joshua Cue, 21, with possession, sale and use of illegal drugs.

In its referral-complaint, the PNP Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force submitted as evidence 527 capsules of Diazepam, Phentermine and the popular “weight-reducing” Bangkok pills worth over P15,000, a roll of dried marijuana leaves, a plastic tube with pipe, and P9,000 in marked money, seized during the buy-bust.

All five suspects were presented to Assistant State Prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera for inquest proceedings.

But their lawyers – Armando Deloria for Ouano and public attorneys for the four others – opted to submit a comprehensive answer to the charges in a preliminary investigation.