Pandi, Bulacan Mayor Enrico Roque 鈥擯hoto from the the Faceboook page of the Municipality of Pandi
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� The Caloocan City Regional Trial Court (RTC) has dismissed the rape case against Pandi, Bulacan Mayor Enrico Roque and two others following the complainant鈥檚 nonappearance before the court.
In an order issued on February 25 but released only on Sunday, Judge Rowena Violago Alejandria of RTC Branch 121 directed Roque鈥檚 immediate release.
The complainant failed to appear twice in court despite summons.
鈥淲hen the case was called, there is still no appearance on the part of the private complainant despite personal service of the subpoena sent upon her,鈥� the court order read.
鈥淭he return of the subpoena sent to said private complainant shows 鈥榗annot be located,鈥欌�� it added.
In a statement on Monday, Roque鈥檚 camp said the Department of Justice issued a resolution on January 22, citing inconsistencies that raised doubts about the credibility of the case.
It also noted that the聽dismissal of the case was due to 鈥渓ack of evidence鈥� and 鈥渟everal serious discrepancies.鈥�
鈥淔urther discrepancies included the complainant鈥檚 address, which was found to be false, as reflected in the investigation data form,鈥� Roque鈥檚 camp said.
鈥淭he attached medico-legal certificate was also deemed suspicious and possibly fabricated. The Women and Children Protection Desk of Caloocan City Police and the Philippine National Police鈥檚 Crime Information Reporting and Analysis System lacked records of the complainant or her claims,鈥� it added.
READ: Pandi mayor, councilor arrested for rape complaints 鈥� NCRPO
On December 17, 2024, Roque, a municipal councilor, and another individual were arrested.
Roque鈥檚 camp has consistently denied the allegations, calling the case 鈥減olitically motivated.鈥�
鈥淗e [Roque] decried the filing of what he called a fabricated case as an intentional attack on his name and reputation,鈥� his camp said.
鈥淢ayor Roque views this case as a violation of his constitutional right to due process and a demonstration of the potential for injustice within the legal system,鈥� it added.
READ: Pandi Mayor released from detention
On December 23, 2024, Roque was released from detention after a court granted his motion to quash the arrest warrant issued against him.