ASIDE from former Attorney General Joey P. San Nicolas, the Office of the Attorney General also subpoenaed other former and current government officials to testify in the case against Gov. Ralph DLG Torres.
Those who were “commanded” to testify on July 5 at 9 a.m. before Superior Court Judge Pro Tem Alberto E. Tolentino are former Department of Finance Secretary Larissa Larson, current Finance Secretary David Atalig, Sen. Victor Hocog, the governor’s executive assistant Frances Dela Cruz, Office of Personnel Management Director Frances Salas, Finance financial services director Bernadita Palacios, and Finance travel section staffer Bobbie T. Cabrera.
Travel agent Chari Ramos and Police Sgt. Joey Cruz, the governor’s chief of security, were also ordered to testify on the same day.
The individuals are “advised” that their attendance is required throughout the trial “from day to day until it is completed or upon notice by the court” or the prosecutor “that this subpoena or your attendance is no longer necessary.”
Chief Solicitor J. Robert Glass Jr., who represents the AG’s office, has also asked the court to look into possible conflicts of interest in the representation of the governor by attorneys Viola Alepuyo and Anthony Aguon who have also represented two government witnesses.
Judge Tolentino has taken under advisement the Office of the AG’s motion, saying he will issue a ruling soon.
On April 8, 2022, the AG filed a criminal case against the governor alleging 12 counts of misconduct in public office and one count of theft relating to the issuance of airline tickets for business class, first class, or other premium class travel for himself and/or first lady Diann T. Torres.
The case also alleges one count of contempt for failure to appear in compliance with a subpoena.
The governor has pled not guilty to the charges.
Represented by attorneys Viola Alepuyo, Matthew Holley, and Anthony Aguon, the governor has also filed a motion to have the AG’s office withdraw or be disqualified as prosecutor.
His lawyers said the “AG is prosecuting [the] governor for an alleged violation in which the AG provided legal advice.”
The governor’s motion to disqualify the AG’s office will be heard on May 31, at 9 a.m.
As for the subpoena served on San Nicolas, the former AG has requested the court to quash it. He said the subpoena is “unduly burdensome, intrusive, and is unnecessary.”
