5 days ago
Patidongan tags ex-judge as fixer of Ang's cases, PCSO chairman denies allegation
Whistleblower Julie 'Dondon' Patidongan has tagged Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) chairman Felix Reyes as the retired judge who helped businessman Charlie 'Atong' Ang in his cases.
According to Ian Cruz's report on "24 Oras," Reyes refuted the allegations and challenged Patidongan to identify which cases he facilitated for Ang.
'Si ex-judge na 'yan na chairman 'yan ng PCSO, siya talaga ang tagalakad,' Patidongan said.
Patidongan is one of the accused in the case of the missing sabungeros or cockfighters. He has since come out to say Ang and a few others were the masterminds in the abduction of the victims.
He added that all those who were abducted have been killed.
'I categorically deny such wild accusations by Mr. Patidongan. I dare him to identify any specific case of Mr. Atong Ang or anything related to the Sabungero Case, which I understand is still pending in court, that I fixed or settled to the advantage of Mr. Ang,' Reyes said in a statement.
The former judge said Patidongan must shut up if he cannot prove his accusation of case-fixing.
Reyes said that it was a 'rare coincidence' that Patidongan's allegations came out a day after he submitted his application to become the next Ombudsman.
"I am ready and willing to cooperate in any investigation by any government agency that will shed light on these baseless allegations of Mr. Patidongan…and spare the judiciary and the prosecution service from the undeserved tarnishing of these institutions," Reyes said.
Reyes was appointed as PCSO chairman in May. He has been a board member of PCSO since November 2022.
He was a presiding judge or acting judge in the regional trial courts of Taguig, Lipa, Calamba, and Marikina from 2006 to 2021.
But Patidongan said that he had to identify Reyes for his safety and for his family.
"Judge, pasensya ka na, na binanggit ko yung pangalan mo, ito naman talaga yung totoo. Alam mo naman na ito si Mr. Atong, buhay ko na ang gusto na niyang mawala," Patidongan said.
"Hindi lang buhay ko buong pamilya ko gusto nya ipapatay. Kaya ako, inililigtas ko lang yung sarili ko. Pasensya na kayo na nasabi ko ang mga pangalan ninyo dito,' he added.
(Judge, I'm very sorry if I have to mention your name in this case because this is the truth. For sure, you are aware that Mr. Atong is after my life. He also wants to kill my family. That's why I'm protecting myself. I'm very sorry if I have to tag your names here.)
GMA Integrated News is trying to reach out to Ang for comment. –GMA Integrated News
