Percy Lapid gunman sentenced to 16 years imprisonment

LAS Piñas Regional Trial Court Branch 254 has sentenced the alleged gunman of broadcaster Percy Lapid up to 16 years of imprisonment.

Lawyer Danny Pelagio in a message to reporters on Monday said self-confessed gunman Joel Escorial was sentenced from eight years and eight months to 16 years.

“Hindi na-downgrade from murder to homicide pero nag-plea bargain as accomplice (it was not downgraded from murder to homicide but he made a plea bargain as accomplice),” Pelagio said. 

In August 2023, Escorial asked the court to allow him to enter into plea bargaining to the lesser offense of homicide from murder. 

According to Pelagio, there was no written order yet on the conviction. He said, however, that the conviction would no longer change.

“Nag-set na ng conditions ang prosecution na tinanggap na ni Escorial. Nag-pose na rin ng clarificatory and confirmatory questions si judge. Nasa official transcript na mga yan ng court,” he said.

For his part, Roy Mabasa, the brother of the slain broadcaster, said they would not rest until all those responsible are imprisoned.

“We entrust it to God in honor of the slain journalist, but our pursuit of justice won’t cease until all the masterminds are behind bars,” he said.

Pelagio said the next hearing will be on June 24.

Lapid, real name Percy Mabasa, was shot dead in Las Piñas City on October 3, 2022.