The Sandiganbayan will proceed with the graft and reckless imprudence trial of the general manager of Kentex Manufacturing Corp., which burned down in May 2015, killing 74 people, mostly workers of the slipper factory in Valenzuela City.
In a five-page resolution dated March 1, the court’s Second Division denied the Jan. 25 motion to quash filed by Ong King Guan, also known as Terence King Ong.
It rejected Ong’s argument that he would suffer double jeopardy because he was already being tried for a separate graft case in the Valenzuela City Regional Trial Court Branch 282.
The antigraft court noted that the other case was still pending which meant that double jeopardy could not occur as Ong “has not yet been convicted or acquitted, and that said case has neither been dismissed nor terminated without his
express consent.”
The resolution was penned by Associate Justice Michael Frederick L. Musngi and concurred in by Associate Justices Oscar C. Herrera Jr. and Lorifel L. Pahimna.
The cases filed by the Ombudsman in the Sandiganbayan involved the issuance by Valenzuela Mayor Rexlon Gatchalian and city licensing officials of a business permit to Kentex in 2015 despite its lack of a fire safety inspection certificate (FSIC).
Case vs mayor dismissed
Gatchalian, as well as licensing officials Renchi May Padayao and Eduardo Carreon, avoided trial after the Sandiganbayan in December 2016 agreed that they were simply following the city ordinance streamlining the issuance of business permits. The court also ruled that the issuance of the permit did not cause the fire.
However, the cases against Ong, as well as city fire marshal Mel Jose Lagan and Senior Insp. Edgrover Oculam, remained pending in the Sandiganbayan.
On the other hand, the charges in the Valenzuela court stemmed from the city fire officials’ issuance of an FSIC to Kentex in 2012 despite its noncompliance with fire code requirements. They were also accused of issuing inaccurate inspection reports in 2014.
The factory fire left 74 people dead and scores other injured with prosecutors saying the victims suffered undue injury in the amount of P3.7 million. The fire also raised the issue of “sweatshop” labor conditions.
September 18 –
International Equal Pay Day
“Increase wages now,
more than other cost items.
For widespread, practical equality!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
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October –
Monthly Observances:
Industry and Commerce Safety Month
National Statistics Month
Local Government Month
Consumer Welfare Month
Cooperative Month
National Quality and Productivity Improvement Month
National Health and Wellness Tourism Month
National Indigenous Peoples Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Elderly Filipino Week
Week 2: National Health Education Week
Local Government Week
National Mental Health Week
October 17-23:
National Week for Overcoming Extreme Poverty
October 18 – 24:
United Nations Week
Last Week:
Nurses’ Week
Consumers’ Protection Week
Week of the 4th Sunday:
Barrio Farmers’ Week
Daily Observances:
First Monday (Oct 4): Universal Children’s Day i
n the Philippines
Oct 5: National Teachers’ Day
Oct 10: Local Government Day
Third Thursday (Oct 14): Conflict Resolution Day
Oct 21: Tenants’ Emancipation day
Oct 24: United Nations Day
Oct 29: National Indigenous People’s Thanksgiving Day
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