STATE prosecutors yesterday filed charges of possession of dangerous drugs against Julian Ongpin, son of billionaire and Marcos-era trade minister Roberto Ongpin, before the San Fernando City, La Union Regional Trial Court.
Honey Delgado of the Office of the Prosecutor General said while no arrest warrant has been issued against Ongpin, the hold departure order issued against by the executive judge of the San Fernando RTC on October 8 still stands.
State prosecutors had earlier found probable cause to indict Ongpin for violation of Section 11 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 after 12.6 grams of cocaine was found by police in the room of a resort in San Juan, La Union that he occupied along with his late girlfriend, visual artist Breanna Jonson.
Jonson was found unconscious in the room and was later declared dead in a hospital. An initial probe conducted by the police showed she allegedly committed suicide.
Under Section 11 of RA 9165, possession of more than 10 grams of cocaine is punishable with life imprisonment and a fine ranging from P500, 000 to P10 million. It is a non-bailable offense.
Ongpin was initially charged before the La Union prosecutors office for possession of dangerous drugs but was released from police custody pending the conduct of preliminary investigation.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra later ordered the transfer of the preliminary investigation of the case from La Union to the DOJ main office in Manila.
Guevarra said it is best for Ongpin to “submit himself to the jurisdiction of the court so that he will have all the time and opportunity to defend himself in a fair and impartial trial.”
The Jonson family welcomed the DOJ move, adding they are looking forward to the issuance of a warrant of arrest against Ongpin.
