Case vs Michelle Dee, Rhian Ramos, Samantha Panlilio dropped over insufficient evidence
The Makati prosecutor's office has junked the case filed by Rhian Ramos' former driver against the actress, Michelle Dee, and Samantha Panlilio over insufficient evidence.
The driver, known only as Totoy, filed complaints against the trio for slight illegal detention, unlawful arrest, and physical injuries in May following an alleged incident in January.
According to a Philippine STAR report, Dee's counsel, Atty. Maggie Abraham-Garduque, said that the dismissal affirmed that the complaint was "bereft of merit."
"We are very happy with the resolution," she said. "In the end, justice and truth prevail."
On the other hand, the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption, which is helping Totoy with his case, vowed to challenge the resolution and called it "unexpected and highly questionable."
The case stemmed from an alleged incident in January, where Totoy claimed he was locked up for three days and tortured inside Dee's condo for allegedly stealing an angpao that contained sensitive photos belonging to Ramos.
Abraham-Garduque has previously disproved Totoy's accusations and said it was "physically impossible" for Dee to torture him, especially since the beauty queen was in Iloilo on the day he said he was detained.
"Physically impossible and also incredible kasi based on the allegation of the driver, nangyari daw ‘yung alleged mauling and illegal detention from Jan. 17 to 19. So ‘yun ‘yung mga period na sinabi niya," the lawyer said. "However, records would show na si Michelle Dee was in Iloilo noong buong araw ng Jan. 17, and she was able to go back to Manila only on Jan. 18."
She further pointed out that the driver's medical examination results do not align with his testimony.
Dee had also filed a qualified theft complaint against Totoy for the angpao he allegedly stole containing ten valuable items, of which nine were already returned.