Ibinasura ng Department of Justice (DOJ) ang kasong Reckless Imprudence Resulting to Homicide na isinampa ni Lorayne Pardo laban sa aktor na si Richard Gutierrez. Si Lorayne ang biyuda ni Nomar Pardo, ang personal assistant ni Richard na nasawi sa vehicular accident na naganap noong May 22, 2009 sa Tagaytay-Sta. Rosa Rd., Silang, Cavite. (CLICK HERE to read related story.)

Ang five-page resolution na ito ng DOJ ay inilabas noong March 10, 2010 at pinirmahan ni outgoing Secretary Agnes VST Devanadera.

Matatandaang sa unang desisyon ng Cavite Provincial Prosecutor's Office noong September 18, 2009 ay sinabi nilang may "probable cause" upang sampahan si Richard ng Reckless Imprudence Resulting to Homicide dahil sa nangyaring aksidente. (CLICK HERE to read related story.)

Nagsampa ng kasong Reckless Imprudence Resulting in Homicide si Lorayne laban kay Richard noong July 23, 2009 sa Office of the Provincial Prosecutor sa Imus, Cavite. Sa panayam ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal), sinabi ni Lorayne na sinampahan niya ng kaso ang amo ng kanyang mister upang "malaman kung ano ang nangyari." (CLICK HERE to read related story.)

PETITION FOR REVIEW. Sa parehong resolution, dinesisyunan din ng DOJ ang hiwalay na petition for review nina Lorayne at Richard sa naunang resolution ng Provincial Prosecutor of Cavite, "which found probable cause against respondent for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide as defined and penalized under Article 365 of the Revised Penal Code."

Ibinasura ng DOJ ang petition for review ni Lorayne, samantalang pinanigan nila ang petition for review ni Richard.

Sa petition ni Lorayne, sinabi niyang nagkamali ang Provincial Prosecutor of Cavite "in completely disregarding the presence of the qualifying circumstance of the failure of respondent to lend immediate assistance to her husband, the deceased Nomar E. Pardo, during the fatal accident in the early morning of May 22, 2009."

Ayon sa DOJ, "We find no merit in complainant's assertion."

Sa petition for review naman ni Richard sa resolution ng Provincial Prosecutor of Cavite na may "probable cause" sa isinampang kaso ni Lorayne laban sa kanya, sinabi ng DOJ na "not all elements of the crime of reckless imprudence have been established."

Sinabi rin ng DOJ na ang tanging witness para kay Lorayne ay ang kanyang sarili lamang, "testifying on matters not of her own personal knowledge."

Dagdag pa ng DOJ, "Complainant could not have known the road conditions, the manner by which the accident happened, the damages caused to the vehicle and its passengers, or respondent's actuations immediately after the accident because she simply was not present at the scene of the incident. None of the police officers who investigated the scene of the accident executed statements to identify said reports or to narrate their findings.

"Complainant's statements are, therefore, hearsay at best and clearly inadmissible in evidence pursuant to Section 13, Rule 130 of the Revised Rules of Evidence."

Ayon sa DOJ, "We find no basis for the Provincial Prosecutor of Cavite to conclude that respondent was driving the vehicle at a 'mind-boggling speed.'" Sinabi rin ng DOJ na ang natamong damage ng minamanehong sasakyan ni Richard-isang Nissan Skyline-ay hindi nangangahulugan na ang "respondent was driving the same at high speed."

Dagdag pa ng DOJ, "As the complainant failed to establish the last element of the crime, i.e., that there has been inexcusable lack of precaution on the part of the offender, we cannot sustain the assailed resolution."

Sa huli, ito ang naging desisyon ng DOJ: "WHEREFORE, the petition for review of complainant Lorayne Torres Pardo is hereby DISMISSED, while the petition for review of respondent Richard Rama Gutierrez is hereby GRANTED. The complaint against respondent for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide is DISMISSED."