Eight years ago, Ramgen Revilla was murdered in his own house in Parañaque City. His ex-girlfriend Janelle Manahan, filed a case against RJ Revilla, Michael Jay Narta, Roy Francis Tolisora, Galiza Visda, Jan Norwin dela Cruz, and Ryan Pastera.

Recently, the Parañaque Regional Trial Court acquits RJ Revilla and and five others for the death of Ramgen, charged as ‘not guilty’ and are released from jail.

“This Honorable Court hereby finds the accused Ramon Joseph Bautista, Michael Jay Nartea, Roy Francis Tolisora, Glaiza Vizda, Jan Norwin Dela Cruz and Ryan Pastera, not guilty and are hereby acquitted…for lack of sufficient evidence,” the court said.

The prosecution presented a witness who saw RJ go in and out of the house during the same timeframe as Ramgen’s murder, but the court said this was not enough to pin him down for murder.

“Nowhere in the testimony of said witness do we find any other act or acts of accused Ramon Joseph that can be construed as constituting an overt act within the ambit and contemplation of our criminal law that would make manifest that he was in unison and in cohort with the unidentified assailant or assailants in perpetrating the crimes in issue,” the court said.

As for their sibling, Ramona, she fled the country during those times of persecution and was not put on trial together with RJ.

“The Court further orders that the cases against accused Ma Ramona Belen Bautista be archived and, upon her apprehension, the same shall be revived without further orders from this Honorable Court,” said the decision.

Janelle Manahan was very disappointed at the judgement of the court. RJ was the primary suspect of his brother’s murder case eight years ago.

“I can’t say I am surprised… with the kind of justice system that we have in this country. But I am very disappointed. I waited so long, almost a decade, only to receive this news.” She said.

“I am not convicting them and did not convict them, but all evidences were pointing toward them. Some even admitted they are guilty. Paano nangyari ‘to? Hindi ko talaga alam. Nagkulang ba ako? Hindi ko alam.” Janelle added.

She stated that the news from the court is a bad timing since she just recently lost her grandmother. She also said that she is worried about her safety, now that the suspects are acquitted.

“Sobrang bad timing pa dahil kakamatay lang ng lola ko…God is our ultimate judge, ipagpapasa-Dios ko na lang sila. But I am worried for my safety.”