‘Enzo’ slay suspect appeals hold order

The counsel for businessman Domingo “Sandy” De Guzman III, who was implicated in the killing of international race car driver Ferdinand “Enzo” Pastor asked a Quezon City court to reverse its October 2 ruling that ordered the issuance of a hold departure order (HDO) against him.

In a four-page motion for reconsideration, Atty. Dennis Manalo said the court erred in issuing an HDO against his client since “there is no compelling reason to justify the curtailment of his constitutional right to travel.”

He added the right of the accused to travel should not be subjected to restriction “simply on the basis of unfounded and bare suspicions, inferences, and surmises.”

In its August 17 motion, the prosecution panel said the court should immediately issue an HDO against De Guzman following the issuance of warrant of arrest against him.

The prosecutors said De Guzman has the financial means to leave the country and “maintain a comfortable lifestyle abroad.”

In his October 2 order, Judge Luisito Cortez of the QC Regional Trial Court Branch 85 said “the court finds it necessary to issue a hold departure order to prevent the accused from fleeing beyond the jurisdiction of the court.”

De Guzman and Pastor’s widow, Dalia, were suspected to be romantically linked and were also believed to have plotted to killing of the famed race car driver.

Pastor was shot on June 12, 2014 at the corner of Congressional and Visayas Avenues in Quezon City.