The first two convictions this year was rendered by Regional Trial Court Branch 30 presiding Judge Rafael Crescencio Tan, Jr. with both accused found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of selling and for possession of illegal drugs.
Sentenced to suffer a penalty of life imprisonment and to pay a fine of P500,000 was William Diongco alias “Amboy” for the offense of selling shabu to a police-poseur buyer in a buy-bust operation last December 10, 2014 in Poblacion Sibulan, Negros Oriental.
Diongco was also found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the offense of illegal possession of shabu in violation of Section 11, Art. II, of RA 9165 and sentenced to suffer an indeterminate penalty of 12 years and one day as minimum to 14 years as maximum and to pay a fine of P400,000.
The other person convicted today is John Paul Flores, for the offense of illegal possession of shabu in violation of Section 11, RA 9165 and was sentenced to suffer an indeterminate penalty of 12 years and one day as minimum to 14 years as maximum and to pay a fine of P400,000.
He was also found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the offense of illegal possession of dangerous drug paraphernalia and sentenced to suffer a penalty of six months and one day as minimum to two years as maximum term and to pay a fine of P10,000.
Judgment was rendered against Flores without his presence, despite notice as provided for in the Rules of Court that judgment can be rendered by recording it in the criminal docket of the court and serving a copy of the judgment to the accused of his last known address or through his counsel.
Upon receipt of a copy of the judgment, Flores has the remedy under the law to file a motion for reconsideration so that he can avail of remedies in case the motion is denied, Judge Tan pointed out. (PNA)
