--,*:,'-: '': :

i WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2019

Trenas given more

time for evicience
ILOILO City Rep, Geronino ftefias bas
been given more time by the Sandigan-
bayan to pres€nt additional evidence to
prove his innocence in connection with
&e graft case filed against him over the
grant of P500,000 to a local media group
when he was still mayor of the locality.
The anti-graft cout's Seventh Division
granted the motion to withdraw dernuner
to evidence ofTrenas.
'Accordinglv" the ends of justice and
faimess would be best served if the ac-
cused Trefias will be given ttre fulloppor-
emity !o threshed out the real issues in a
full-blown trial," the Sandiganbayan said
in is May 27 resolution.
The case stemmed Som an alleged re-
lease of F500,000 io the Iloilo Press Club
as assistance in the constnrction of its
building in 2003" \ '
Trefias said the money acfirally came
from the pork barrel or PrioriQ- Devel-
oplnent Ansistance Fund of Senator Lo-
ren Legarda, who he said seiectpd the
beneficiary,
A motion for demuner 0o evidence is
an accused's plea to court tg dismiss the
Base oufright with the evidense on hand.
Ifttratmotion were filedwithout an ap
proved motiog for leave of court, the ac-
sused will lose the right to file a motion
for reconsiderntion and present evidence
in his favor if he wele found Suilty.
,i The $andiganbayan also said the mere
filing of a demuner is not considered as a
*aiver of Tre,fl as' right.
,. '"This Court is not ready to rule that ac-
fused Treffas had waived said right in this
case because in the fint place, he rnani-
Ssted his intention and- willingness to
fnesent evidence a^s can be,gleaned from
the fact that he sought for the withdrawal
qf his d€rnuncr wittrout leeve by filing the
ineeeutmc'tion," it oaid, MarteilV Crur
,, $
Fnqe _A,b,