By Nancy Carvajal
A La Union court has dismissed the illegal drug charges against Julian Ongpin, the son of bilyonaryo Bobby Ongpin, and ordered the lifting of the hold departure order against him.
Find out who’s handling Julian Ongpin’s drug case
Presiding Judge Romeo Agacita Jr. of San Fernando RTC Branch 27 cleared Ongpin of criminal liability even if the police found over 12 grams of cocaine in the room he shared with his girlfriend, visual artist Bree Jonson, in La Union last September.
Sa korte na magpaliwanag! Julian Ongpin urged to surrender once arrest warrant is out
Jonson was found dead at the Flotsam and Jetsam Resort on the same night she was seen with Ongpin. The 29-year-old scion claimed his girlfriend committed suicide.
Agacita cited the “utter non-compliance” of the requirements of Section 21 of Republic Act 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Act as the reason why there’s no probable cause for an arrest warrant to be issued against Ongpin.
Balik sa kulungan! Julian Ongpin faces drug raps for cocaine possession
“The chain of custody requirements in the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act are cast in precise, mandatory language. They are not stringent for stringency’s own sake. Rather, they are calibrated to preserve the even greater interest of due process and the constitutional rights of those who stand to suffer from the State’s legitimate use of force, and therefore, stand to be deprived of liberty, property, and should capital punishment be imposed, life,” he said.
Meanwhile the National Bureau of Investigation is seeking a court order to examine Jonson’s phone to cross-check Ongpin’s statements regarding her death.
A source said a petition will be filed with a La Union court, which has jurisdiction over Jonson’s case.
Too much love could kill: Find out Julian Ongpin’s version of events leading to Bree Jonson’s death
“A court order is needed to open the cellphone of Bree to verify statements given by Ongpin about his late girlfriend,” the source said.
No foul play? Here’s why La Union fiscal’s office ordered release of Bobby Ongpin’s son
Jonson’s family doubt Ongpin’s claim that his girlfriend committed suicide, pointing out the scratches found on his arm and red marks on the artist’s neck, which they claim hint at a struggle.
