Bar blast suspect a no-show at DOJ hearing

On his lawyer's advice, the suspect in the Sept. 26 Bar examinations blast did not show up on Monday at the Department of Justice's preliminary investigation into the criminal complaint lodged against him by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and other victims. Laywer Luis Paredes said he told his client Anthony Leal Nepomuceno not to show up because his presence is not yet needed during the proceedings. "Right now, we advised him (Nepomuceno) that this is still in the preliminary investigation stage and his presence is not yet required. He will be present when he submits his counter-affidavit," Paredes told reporters. Nepomuceno, a member of the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity, allegedly lobbed the grenade where supporters and law students were gathered to welcome the Bar examinees who took the test at the De La Salle University campus in Manila. Raissa Laurel More than 40 people were hurt, including Raissa Laurel, who lost her legs in the explosion. Laurel was present during Monday's preliminary investigation, and said she was "a bit disappointed" at Nepomuceno and his lawyers' insistence on his innocence. But Laurel, who is being represented by former Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr., said she has already forgiven Nepomuceno. Nepomuceno is facing charges of multiple frustrated murder and multiple attempted murder. But he has since maintained his innocence, saying he was in his Marikina home when the incident happened. When he surrendered himself to the NBI last October, he was accompanied by APO elders like Vice President Jejomar Binay and former Justice secretary Silvestre Bello. A word war ensued between the APO fraternity and Justice Sec. Leila de Lima, who announced that the two other suspects who aided Nepomuceno's escape were APO members too. The fraternity said De Lima is prejudging the case even before a preliminary investigation is conducted. DOJ State Prosecutor Gerald is in charge of handling the preliminary investigation on the charges against Nepomuceno. He set the next hearing on November 30, where other witnesses and complainants will file their complaint affidavits against Nepomuceno. After which, Nepomuceno will file a counter-affidavit answering all the pleadings lodged against him. — RSJ, GMANews.TV