Ibinasura ng Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) ang iniharap na petition for bail nina Customs broker Mark Ruben Taguba II at importer Eirene Mae Tatad kaugnay ng pagkakadawit nila sa pag-angkat ng P6.4 bilyong shabu noong 2017.

“At this point, prosecution was able to establish that the evidence against accused Taguba II and Tatad to be strong, both as to importation of illegal drugs as well as the conspirary of the accused to further such act.  Thus given these pieces of evidence against the accused at this point, the court denies the petitions for bail of the accused Taguba II and Tatad,” ayon kay sa ruling na ipinalabas ni RTC Judge Reinelda Estacio Montesa.

Paglilinaw ng korte, hindi nakasalalay sa kahihinatnan ng kaso ang nasabing resolusyon at nireresolba lamang nito ang petisyon ng dalawang akusado.

Sinabi rin ng hukuman, mahabang panahon pa ang gagawing paglilitis sa kaso dahil maghaharap pa ng mga ebidensiya ang prosekusyon at depensa.

“It must be emphasized that the court does not try the merits or enter into an inquiry as to the weight that ought to be given to the evidence against the accused, nor will it speculate on the outcome of the trial or on what further evidence may be offered therein,” sabi ng korte.

Matatandaang inamin ni Taguba na siya ang lumakad sa pagpuslit sa bansa ng nasabing bilyun-bilyong shabu at ginamit naman ang kumpanya ni Tatad na EMP Trading bilang dummy consignee ng kargamento.

-Rey G. Panaligan