Ivisan SB member in hazing case nowhere to be found
IVISAN, Capiz – Vice Mayor Isaias B. Arboleda admitted that Sangguniang Bayan Member Christian Zander Mendoza, one of the subjects of an arrest warrant over a hazing case, has been absent from the regular sessions since last month.
Arboleda said, Mendoza has filed a leave of absence last December 23..
According to him, Mendoza has a credit of 17.5 days for sick leave and 15.5 days for vacation leave or a total of 34 days which he can use until August this year.
“We don’t know about his hazing case since we were not furnished with the warrant of arrest against him,” Arboleda said adding that Mendoza could file an indefinite leave or graceful exit since his case has no bailbond recommended.
On the other hand, Mayor Felipe Yap told The News Today (TNT) that he is sad to learn about Mendoza’s case adding that the latter is a good man and has good family background.
“But the case is already in court so let's wait for the court to decide on it,” Yap said adding that he hoped Mendoza could be acquitted.
On Jan. 5, 2009, Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Daniel Antonio Gerardo S. Amular of Branch 21 in Mambusao issued a warrant of arrest against Mendoza and seven other for violation of anti-hazing law.
Other respondents were Phil Raff Patricio of President Roxas, Dinkee Mandar of Punta Tabuc, Ramil Bula of Loctugan, Edeneo Machado of Malipayon Village, Archie Durana of Salgan, Maayon; Dexter Alvarez of Lonoy, Sapian; and Roque Isiderio, a municipal employee of Mambusao.
Police has yet to arrest any one of the suspects.
The case of hazing stemmed from the death of Jan Angelo Dollete, 21, an engineering student of Capiz State University (CAPSU) last May 6, 2006 where the victim died on arrival at the Mambusao District Hospital.
Investigation showed that the victim was killed due to hazing by a fraternity in Sapian, Capiz.
In a latest development on the hazing case, the victim's father Jesus Dollete has asked the Department of Justice to resolve the petition for review seeking the inclusion of three more suspects, namely, Christina Dyna Baldesimo-Honrado, Joel Bellosillo and Sylvester Bellosillo after the investigating prosecutor exonerated them from the case.