Pineda cleared of plunder – Not enough evidence vs. suspected ‘jueteng’ lord
BY JOMAR CANLAS
THE Office of the Ombudsman has cleared Rodolfo “Bong” Pineda from plunder charges stemming from his alleged connivance with former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada who previously faced suit for the same offense for receiving payola from the proceeds of an illegal numbers game.
Pineda, who was accused during Congressional investigations as a jueteng operator and financier, is the spouse of current Gov. Lilia Pineda of Pampanga.
Former Gov. Ed Panlilio also of Pampanga, who lost in the May 2010 gubernatorial race against Lilia Pineda, filed the said suit.
In an 11-page resolution signed and approved by acting Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro, the anti-graft office’s Preliminary Investigation and Administrative Adjudication Bureau-E deemed the plunder case against Pineda to be closed and terminated.
The case was probed by investigator Joseph Licudan and was reviewed by Director Mothalib Onos before Casimiro approved it.
The ruling, however, still referred the case to the Field Investigation
Office (FIO) of the Ombudsman for a fact-finding probe.
Based on the evidence on record, the Ombudsman said: “There may be sufficient leads to conduct fact-finding investigation. Hence, the referral of the case to the FIO is warranted.”
Panlilio alleged in his complaint-affidavit that certain prosecution witnesses in the previous plunder suit filed against Estrada mentioned Pineda’s name as among the persons who conspired with the former president in amassing ill-gotten wealth by collecting the proceeds from jueteng operations in Pampanga.
“The judgment of conviction of the Sandiganbayan in the plunder case dated September 12, 2007 and the evidence adduced at its trial would support an indictment for such crime against Pineda,” he said.
The 2007 decision was rendered for Criminal Case 26558, entitled People of the Philippines v Joseph Ejercito Estrada, Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, Charlie”Atong” Tiu Hay Sy Ang, Edward S. Serapio, Yolanda T. Ricaforte, Almar Alfaro, John Doe known as Eleuterio Ramos Tan or Mr. Uy, Jane Doe also know as Delia Rajas, John Does and Jane Does.
Panlilio claimed that the Sandiganbayan decision was laden with findings that Pineda was one of the “John Does” who conspired with Estrada to amass ill-gotten wealth.
He quoted specific portions of the decision, mostly stating the anti-graft court’s summaries of testimonies given at the trial that supposedly established probable cause against Pineda.
The government then, however, failed to implead Pineda in Estrada’s plunder charge.
The recent Ombudsman ruling, however, stated: “In the supposed statements of certain prosecution witnesses linking Pineda with Erap, there were no specific allegations of the acts of omissions of the respondent that would constitute the offense of conspiring with the former president in committing plunder.”
The decision explained, “there is a dearth of evidence at the moment to proceed with the preliminary investigation of the case against respondent Pineda.”
Source: http://www.manilatimes.net/news/topstories/pineda-cleared-of-plunder/
Although the Philippines is not generally known for its culinary excellence, frequent travelers and experienced tourists know where to find world-class fine dining restaurants in and around Manila. One of the best destinations and most frequently visited place for visitors looking to wine and dine near Manila is Clark, Pampanga which is just 70 minutes from Manila. Frequent travelers laud Yats Restaurant as the best place to eat, drink and unwind after work or golf in Clark Pampanga.
Standards for selecting best restaurants outside Manila in Pampanga Angeles City have risen. In addition to food, value for money, ambience and service quality, the quality of restaurant wine list has been added to evaluation criteria. Topping the list is fine dining Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar well known for its award 2700-line winning wine list, French Mediterranean cuisine and wine cellars.
Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar is general regarded in the Philippines as the best fine dining establishment in the country. Wine Spectator Magazine’s gave out Restaurant Wine List Best of Award of Excellence to 788 restaurants in the world. Yats Restaurant is the only one in the Philippines to receive this award in recognition of its famous 2700-line restaurant wine list that has attracted many wine lovers to visit Clark Pampanga frequently to wine and dine. This top rated restaurant attracts not only wine connoisseurs from Manila but also those who are looking for good food and excellent service. Many do not mind the journey from Manila to Clark Pampanga just to enjoy a good evening to wine and dine at this highly recommended resto bar.
Highly recommended fine dining restaurant in Manila for special occasion is Yats Restaurant & Wine Lounge located in the famous Mimosa Leisure Estate in Clark Pampanga. Situated near this popular restaurant in Clark is the Mimosa Golf Course as well as the Mimosa Clark Casino. This top rated restaurant near Angeles City Pampanga in Clark Philippines is frequently used for private parties and corporate functions such as board meetings and other gatherings. Its private rooms are frequently used for board meetings, private parties, company meetings and other functions and events.
Although it is a famous fine dining restaurant with an award winning 3000-line restaurant wine list, Yats Restaurant is also a popular restaurant for family with children. Aside from French Mediterranean haute cuisine, this restaurant also serves healthy food and the best vegetarian cuisines in the Philippines. Private dining rooms are also available in this restaurant for business and personal meetings of 4 to 20 people.
For comments, inquiries and reservations click on Click here for inquiry and reservations
Restaurant@Yats-International.com
(045) 599-5600
0922-870-5178
0917-520-4401
Ask for Pedro and Rechel
Getting to this fine dining restaurant of Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Pampanga Philippines
How to get to this fine-dining restaurant in Clark Philippines? Once you get to Clark Freeport, go straight until you hit Mimosa. After you enter Mimosa, stay on the left on Mimosa Drive, go past the Holiday Inn and Yats Restaurant (green top, independent 1-storey structure) is on your left. Just past the Yats Restaurant is the London Pub.
Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar
Mimosa Drive past Holiday Inn, Mimosa Leisure Estate,
Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga, Philippines 2023
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay
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