Percy Lapid brother: Mayores sentence seen

THE family of slain broadcaster Percy Lapid (Percival Mabasa in real life) said they already expected the conviction of Denver Mayores, who had pleaded guilty to being an accessory in the murder of the radioman on Oct. 8, 2022.

«The bigger question is still about [former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald] Bantag and the other accused is: When are they going to be arrested?» Roy Mabasa, Percy's younger brother, told The Manila Times.

Mayores, an inmate at New Bilibid Prison (NBP), was sentenced on December 4 to an additional two to eight years jail term by Las Piñas Regional Trial Court Judge Harold Huliganga.

In pronouncing the sentence, Judge Huliganga acknowledged Mayores' conspiracy with Bantag and deputy security officer Ricardo Zulueta in the murder of Lapid.

Mayores was found to have cooperated in the killing by handing video recordings of Lapid from Zulueta to the group that was tasked to find the hitman.

In a statement, the Department of Justice (DoJ) said the conviction of Mayores, who initially faced a murder complaint as a principal by indispensable cooperation, «underscores the complex web of involvement in Lapid's assassination.»

This latest development follows the convictions of three other NBP gang leaders — Aldrin Galicia, Alvin Labra and Alfie Peñaredonda — who were also found guilty of being accessories to Lapid's murder.

More inmates have been convicted in the case related to Cristito Villamor Palana, the alleged middleman in the murder of Lapid, who died inside the NBP.

The DoJ said it is closely observing the ongoing legal proceedings.

Mabasa said Joel Escorial, the alleged gunman, is seeking to reduce his sentence and be transferred to Abuyog prison in Leyte before making his plea, with his case expected to be promulgated in February 2024.

State prosecutors are currently evaluating the potential impact of reducing Escorial's charges from murder to homicide.

According to the DoJ, this series of convictions marks a critical point in its pursuit of justice in the high-profile murders of Lapid and Villamor.

«The department remains committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring a thorough and fair legal process in these cases,» it added.

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