WITH SO MUCH resources from his treasure chest, fugitive gaming tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang may eventually find himself free from all criminal charges as complainants were allegedly given cash in exchange for skipping court hearings.
According to the National Police Commission (Napolcom), families of the so-called “missing sabungeros” reported that most of the complainants are now under the monthly payroll, receiving P40,000 for every skipped hearing.
Ang has also reportedly offered substantial amounts for families who would agree to drop charges against him. Of the 34 beareaved families in the initial cases of missing sabungeros, only five were left fighting for justice.
In a report earlier published by the Manila Times, widow Diane Loyola claimed that 18 families have been missing hearings conducted by the Sta. Cruz (Laguna) court after striking a deal with Ang’s lawyer Caroline Cruz who has been offering each one “financial assistance” in the guise of an initiative of a foundation.
To prove her allegations, Loyola showed P30,000 cash that was used to bribe her. Two other families showed envelopes of cash which Cruz allegedly described as an initial amount in the form of apologies for the “hassles” of the case.
“Lahat daw po ng pamilya ay nakausap na kaya po pala wala na mga umaattend. Sa halagang 40k pumayag po sila na hindi umattend ng hearing,” the Manila Times quoted Loyola.
