MikeLigalig.com

First Posted 23:02:00 08/05/2010

Chief Insp. Leo Sua, chief of the investigation and detection management section of the General Santos Police Office, told reporters the charges were filed based on gambling paraphernalia and cash recovered during the raid on the residence of Isidra Pacquiao-Paglinawan on July 29.

Lawyer Giovanni Mata, Isidra’s counsel, told reporters his client will also file a complaint over what she called unlawful arrest, robbery and arbitrary detention against policemen within this week.

Mata said the 26 suspects were already released after posting bail.

The illegal “Last Two” numbers game is quite popular in many parts of Mindanao. The result of each draw is based on lotto results.

In some parts of Mindanao, Last Two betting stations may be found even in busy areas. They are coated in white or blue paint but do not have any markings. Bettors refer to these stations as “frontons.”

“The raid was legitimate and we followed the standard procedures. We also had a search warrant,” Sua said.

Mata said the suspects were not engaged in illegal numbers game but were guests of Isidra’s father, Rosario, who was celebrating his 53rd birthday at the time of the raid.

Isidra was not in the house when the raid was conducted. Police, however, confiscated gambling paraphernalia and P30,000 in cash.

Boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, who is now Sarangani representative in Congress, arrived at the house of his sister while policemen were gathering pieces of evidence.

He told reporters his sister should be punished if proven involved in illegal gambling.

“I will not take sides. If she violated the law, then she must pay for it,” Pacquiao had said.

Chief Insp. Alexis Yap, police spokesperson for Central Mindanao, said there would be no whitewash in the case against Isidra.

Yap said police have enough evidence against Pacquiao’s sister and the 26 others.

“It’s up to the court now,” Yap told the Inquirer by phone.

Asked if Isidra, despite having posted bail, was still in hiding, Yap said police have no information on Isidra’s


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