JUSTICE Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Tuesday said he issued an order vacating the dismissal of the case against confessed-drug dealer Kerwin Espinosa, Cebu businessman Peter Lim, and several others.
In a Palace briefing, Aguirre also said he has created a new panel that would review the resolution dismissing the drug cases against Espinosa, Lim and Marcelo Adorco, Peter Co, Lovely Impal and several of their companions.
The new prosecution panel is composed of Senior Assistant Prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera, Assistant State Prosecutor Ana Noreen Devanadera, and Prosecution lawyer Herbert Calvin Abugan.
He said the motion for reconsideration filed by the police has been rendered moot, since “the case is now wide open for the submission of all evidence by both parties.”
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said the case against Lim and Espinosa is “far from being closed.”
“We understand the sentiments and the frustration of the public over the dismissal, but the police can refile the case [and] can introduce additional evidence,” Roque told a press conference.
He also said the government would not let “the big fish” get away, especially if there are sufficient grounds to hold them accountable.
Aguirre said his order to vacate the Dec. 20, 2017 resolution favoring Lim, Espinosa and several others is pursuant to his authority to conduct an automatic review of drug cases.
“The order was issued in the exercise of my power under automatic review,” Aguirre said.
He said the new panel will also allow the submission of new evidence.