Dennis Roldan found guilty of kidnapping

Former Quezon City Representative and actor Dennis Roldan has been found guilty of kidnapping and sentenced to life in prison.

A Pasig Regional Trial Court ruled that Roldan and two of his co-accused were guilty of kidnapping a Chinese-Filipino boy in February 2005.

Roldan, whose real name is Mitchell Gumabao, was arrested in 2005. He posted bail of half a million pesos more than a year later, but three other co-accused remained in jail after their arrest.

Roldan’s lawyer says he will appeal the verdict.

Roldan says he did not expect the court’s decision. He questions why the judge who decided on the case was not the same judge who heard it.

“I have nothing against him, but wala siyang demeanor nung kaso. Hindi niya nakita. Hindi niya napanood. Magre-rely lang siya sa transcript. Pagkatapos nung na-raffle ito, in one month’s time, nag-hearing kami for seven years, tapos in one month’s time, I just couldn’t imagine na nabasa niya lahat nung pinag-hearing-an namin and nakapag-comeup siya ng decision,” Roldan says.

He also asked why his other co-accused, Octavio Garces, was acquitted.

“Okay lang naman kung ma-acquit si Garces, pero nakapagtaka lang ang judicial system natin. Yung umamin na-acquitted and then yung wala namang ebidensiya, na laban sa akin, ako naman yung guilty,” Roldan says.

Roldan and the other co-accused will be brought to New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa.