Obstruction complaint vs Failon, 5 others junked

MANILA, Philippines – The Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office on Monday dismissed the obstruction of justice complaint filed against veteran broadcaster Teodoro “Ted" Failon and five others due to lack of probable cause. The complaint was in connection with the death of Failon's wife, Trinidad Arteche Etong, from a gunshot wound in the head last April 16. In a 10-page resolution, Assistant City Prosecutor Mary Jean Pamittan said the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) failed to establish willful and unlawful intent on the part of the respondents to cover up the incident by cleaning the bathroom where Mrs. Etong's body was found. Aside from Failon, other respondents were his sister-in-law, Pamela Arteche; his driver Glenn Polan; and his house helpers Carlota Morbos, Wilfreda Bolleser, and Pacifico Apacible. The QCPD Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) filed the complaint after the respondents cleaned the bathroom and failed to report the incident to the police. Mrs. Etong was found fighting for her life in one of the bathrooms of their home in Tierra Pura Homes Subdivision in Tandang Sora last April 15. Failon rushed her to the New Era General Hospital where she expired the next day due to cranial injury. Failon's house helps said they cleaned the bathroom so that Failon's 12-year-old daughter will not see the mess. They also stressed that Failon did not order them to clean the site nor directed them not to report the incident to the police. Failon's counsel Alfred Molo welcomed the decision. “This is what Ted had been saying all along, that they are cooperating with the police," he told GMANews.TV in a phone interview. Molo said the dismissal of the complaint would not have a direct bearing on the shooting incident per se, since “the two are different cases altogether. But he added that he was hoping the investigation of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) would prove that Mrs. Etong had committed suicide, as claimed by Failon’s camp and backed by two private forensic experts hired by the veteran news anchor. “Umaasa kami na sana lalabas din ang katotohanan doon, gaya ng paglabas ng katotohanan dito [I am hoping that truth will come out in the shooting investigation, just like truth had come out in the obstruction of justice case]," he said. Tiangco said despite their victory in the case, Failon's camp has no plans of getting back at the police by filing a counter suit. - with Sophia Dedace, GMANews.TV