Two family members of a missing cockfight enthusiast have denied claims that they took cash in exchange for dropping their legal complaint against businessman Atong Ang.
Jocelyn dela Cruz and Cristy Ladao submitted independent counter-affidavits to the Department of Justice (DOJ) on July 17, asserting that their discussions with Ang’s attorney, Caroline Cruz, were not meant to broker an out-of-court settlement.
Ladao is the domestic partner of Johnver Francisco, a cockfighter who went missing in 2021, and with whom she shares two children. Dela Cruz is Francisco’s mother. Both women find themselves named as respondents in an obstruction of justice lawsuit initiated by other relatives of the missing sabungeros.
The legal dispute stemmed from accusations that Ang’s legal counsel handed out money to certain families during their meetings. Attorney Cruz refuted these allegations, clarifying that any monetary support she provided came strictly from her own pockets after she observed that the families required help paying for case-related legal fees.
Ang’s representatives have similarly rejected claims that any talks occurred regarding the dismissal of charges.
While Dela Cruz and Ladao were specifically accused of taking payouts to abandon their pursuit of the case, both maintained in their sworn statements that the financial aid came with no strings attached and that Cruz made no demands of them.
“There was no request or order either not to attend the hearing or stop our goal of seeking justice in exchange for the assistance,” said Ladao in her affidavit.
The two women confirmed they met with Caroline Cruz in March and April, noting that they were the ones who reached out to initiate the contact.
Their affidavits state that the initial meeting on March 4 included another relative of a missing cockfighter. A subsequent meeting occurred two days later with more family members present, including Ma. Theresa Japag.
Japag is currently one of the complainants in the obstruction of justice case filed with the DOJ against Dela Cruz, Ladao, Attorney Cruz, and two others.
Ladao explained that she was merely a passive observer during the March 6 talks and was blindsided to find herself included in the lawsuit. She further claimed that her accusers conveniently omitted from their own affidavits that they were allegedly pursuing massive financial payouts themselves.