THE Supreme Court, during its En Banc deliberations today, acted on A.M. 23-03-04-SC (Request to Transfer the Cases filed in Connection with the Killing of, among others, Negros Oriental Governor Roel R. Degamo) and granted the request of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla for the transfer to the Regional Trial Court of Manila of the cases filed in connection with the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel R. Degamo.
The request to transfer the subject cases from Negros Oriental to Manila was made by DOJ Sec. Remulla in his letter dated March 9, 2023 to Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, coursed through Court Administrator Raul B. Villanueva. According to Sec. Remulla, they “anticipate the filing of other cases related thereto, considering the number of victims who are yet to file their complaints.”
In his letter, Remulla cited the following reasons as basis for the transfer of the cases:
1) First, the case gained significant media attention in Negros Oriental, which has created a hostile environment for the respondents;
2) Second, given that three of the victims are government officials and politicians, the political complexion surrounding the cases may also lead to intimidation and harassment of the respondents, the private complainants, and their witnesses, which could undermine the integrity of the trial; and
3) Third, the logistical difficulties of conducting the trial in the province are also a concern. The respondents are currently detained at the NBI Custodial Center in Manila since the facilities in the province may not be adequate to handle a high profile case like this, and there could be security issues with the transportation and handing of the respondents.”
In his memorandum for the Chief Justice dated March 13, 2023, Court Administrator Villanueva said that the OCA “is completely in agreement and convince that, taking into account the reasons cited by Remulla, the venue of the cases he listed above should be transferred to the RTC of Manila.
The Court Administrator said that “change of venue to Manila would be in the best interest of all parties involved” and it “will provide a neutral venue where the trial can be conducted fairly and impartially, free from any undue influence or bias.”
For “all future cases” that may be filed in relation to the subject charges now pending before the courts in Negros Oriental, Court Administrator Villanueva recommended that the Court may also order the transfer thereof to the RT in Manila once these are filed in the proper courts in Negros Oriental.
