Metro Manila, Philippines – Marikina City 1st District Rep. Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro is facing criminal cases for sexual assault and acts of lasciviousness stemming from complaints filed by two female police officers who served in his security detail.
The Department of Justice confirmed on Tuesday, Aug. 18, that five criminal cases had been filed against the lawmaker, namely, four counts of sexual assault with the Marikina Regional Trial Court and one count of acts of lasciviousness with the Metropolitan Trial Court.
“The Informations have already been filed… along with a transmittal of the records of the cases. The cases are now under the court’s jurisdiction and shall proceed in accordance with the Rules of Court for the conduct of trial,” DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said in a statement.
Teodoro’s camp denied the accusations, calling them baseless and claiming that his political enemies were behind the filing of the charges.
Teodoro’s lawyer, Alma Mallonga, said a DOJ panel had recommended dismissing the complaints after completing its investigation seven months ago.
“Kaya nakakagulat na nagkaroon ng isang RESOLUTION NA HINDI GINAWA O PINIRMAHAN NG DOJ PANEL na nagsagawa ng imbestigasyon. Sa halip, ito ay ginawa at pinirmahan ng ibang State Prosecutor,” Mallonga said in a statement, emphasis hers.
[Translation: It is therefore surprising that a resolution was issued that was neither prepared nor signed by the DOJ panel that conducted the investigation. Instead, it was prepared and signed by another State Prosecutor.]
“Dahil dito, makatwirang ipagpalagay na binago ang orihinal na investigation report at recommendation ng DOJ PANEL na IBASURA ang mga reklamo laban kay Cong Marcy,” she added.
[Translation: Because of this, it is reasonable to assume that the original investigation report and recommendation of the DOJ panel to dismiss the complaints against Congressman Marcy were altered.]
Mallonga said Teodoro is innocent of the charges and ready to face trial.
“Hangga’t hindi ito dinggin at magkaroon ng desisyon kung saan maipapalabas ang mga kasinugalingan at kung ano talaga ang katotohahan, magpapatuloy lamang ang paninira at kawalan ng katiyakan. Ang realidad ay maraming kaaway na ito ang kagustuhan,” she said.
[Translation: Until these cases are heard and a decision is reached, where the lies can be exposed and the truth can be revealed, the smear campaign and uncertainty will continue. The reality is that this is what his many enemies want.]
