• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Negros Oriental Regional Trial Court Branch 64 has dismissed murder charges filed against several Moises Padilla officials and civilians in Negros Occidental.
In her decision dated February 28, Acting Presiding Judge Ma. Anna Priscila Pareja granted the motion of respondents, including Moises Padilla Vice Mayor Adrian Villaflor, Councilor Vincent Bryan Garcia, Barangay Captain Felisa Villaflor and her husband, Jonathan, as well as former Councilor Jose Morito Flores, to dismiss the case due to the apparent lack of interest from the private prosecutors and the complainant.
The filing of murder charges against the respondents stemmed from the killing of Moises Padilla Councilor Jolomar Hilario on March 31, 2019, which the New People’s Army Leonardo Panaligan Command claimed responsibility.
Following the dismissal, the court ordered the release of the accused from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) facility in Bago City. At the same time, the court also directed that their bail bonds be returned upon presentation of the proper receipts.
Earlier cleared of similar charges were Moises Padilla Mayor Ella Celestina Garcia-Yulo, former Isabela Mayor Joselito Malabor, and 11 other civilians.
The private complainant and his legal team were given 30 days to reimburse the expenses incurred by the accused and their counsel. Failure to do so would result in contempt charges, according to Judge Pareja.
During the 2019 elections, Moises Padilla was placed under Comelec control due to election related violence.*
