(Eagle News)–The Nueva Ecija court hearing the charges filed by Mary Jane Veloso against her alleged recruiters has tentatively set the taking of her testimony against them to December 12.
Edre Olalia, National Union of People’s Lawyers president, said, however, that the date was “subject to” the resolution of the motion for reconsideration which alleged recruiters Maria Cristina Sergio and Julius Lacanilao plan to file to challenge the Supreme Court decision that allowed Veloso to give her deposition against them.
Veloso, who is committed in a facility in Indonesia for illegal drug trafficking, has charged Lacanilao and Sergio with human trafficking, illegal recruitment and swindling.
Olalia said the RTC also has to resolve the motion to defer action of the Public Attorneys Office, which represents Lacanilao and Sergio, and bilateral arrangements and preparations to implement the Philippine SC order should be prepared first.
“Meanwhile, the case for qualified illegal recruitment filed separately by 3 other Filipinas vs the same accused is concluded and now submitted for decision by the same trial court and promulgation of the same is scheduled on January 30, 2020,” Olalia said.
On Oct. 9, the SC ruled the Nueva Ecija regional trial court did not gravely abuse its discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction when it allowed the taking of testimony of Veloso.
The SC said this was in light of the extraordinary circumstance of her imprisonment in Yogyakarta. With a report from Moira Encina
