The bodies of former Abra congressman Luis Bersamin and his police escort Adelfo Ortega lie next to their vehicle after they were gunned down in front of the Mt. Carmel Church in New Manila, Quezon City on Dec. 16, 2006. Former Abra governor Vicente Valera (inset) and two others were found guilty of the murders by a Quezon City court yesterday. Walter Bollozos
By Janvic Mateo (The Philippine Star)
MANILA, Philippines – Former Abra governor Vicente Isidro Valera was sentenced yesterday to life in prison after being found guilty by a Quezon City court of masterminding the assassination of congressman Luis Bersamin outside a church in 2006.
City Prosecutor Donald Lee said a Quezon City judge convicted Valera and two others of two counts of murder and one count of frustrated murder and ordered them transferred to the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City. Valera’s co-accused are Rufino Panday and Sgt. Leo Bello.
In a 56-page decision, Regional Trial Court Branch 94 Judge Roslyn Rabara-Tria found the three guilty beyond reasonable doubt of murdering Bersamin and his police escort Senior Police Officer 1 Adelfo Ortega.
They were also convicted of frustrated murder in connection with the injuries sustained by Bersamin’s driver, Allan Sawadan.
But the judge acquitted the three on frustrated murder in connection with the injuries sustained by a 13-year-old parking attendant, who was hit by a stray bullet during the attack.
Bersamin was gunned down in front of the Mt. Carmel church in Quezon City on Dec. 16, 2006.
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Valera was tagged as the mastermind in the killings by accused turned state witnesses Freddie Dupo and Sunny Taculao. The killing of Bersamin was believed to be politically motivated as he was the closest political rival of the governor.
In 2009, Quezon City judge Luisito Cortez issued the arrest warrants on Valera, Bello and aide Jerry Turqueza based on the testimony of the two state witnesses.
Tria took over the cases after they were consolidated.
Turqueza and another accused, Dominador Barbosa, remain at large.
‘Grand conspiracy’
In her ruling, Tria said it was clear that Valera, Bello and Panday were part of a conspiracy to eliminate Bersamin.
“The court finds no reason to doubt the testimonies of Dupo and Taculao. Their testimonies are credible and convincing,” read the decision.
“It must be pointed out that Dupo and Taculao were both subjected to exhaustive cross-examination by the defense. They, however, never wavered in their testimonies,” the judge said in her decision.
The judge noted that Dupo was able to establish that it was Valera who masterminded the killing of the lawmaker.
“Valera himself told Dupo that Bersamin should be killed,” Tria said.
“Dupo clearly stated that political rivalry was the motive why Valera wants Bersamin killed,” the judge added.
“Valera wanted Bersamin killed because the latter reneged on their covenant that he would no longer run for another term to give way to Valera’s wife. News even circulated in Abra that Bersamin will run against Valera himself,” she pointed out.
For his defense, Valera said he would never conspire with anyone to kill the congressman as their families were very close.
He also denied knowing Taculao, or having talked with Dupo – a former vice mayor of La Paz, Abra – to plot the killing of Bersamin.
“It is well settled that denial, if unsubstantiated by clear and convincing evidence, is to be regarded as a weak defense,” she ruled.
Tria ordered the accused to jointly pay the heirs of Bersamin over P3.5 million in damages, and the heirs of Ortega over P329,000.
abrenian.com 
Suuuuuuhhhhhhh,,,,,,,,,,,kukua ni Dominic ti Abran, napalalo to lagto nan, sumaruno kano ni Ruan Luna. Iwadag na pay Takit ten.
Posted by Gungunayo nga taga Abra | September 29, 2015, 10:55 pmAGKATKATAWA TAY PUDPUDNO NGA AKIN ARAMID..THEY HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO BLAME TO KABALYO FOR THE SECOND TIME,, IT WAS A RELICA WHAT HAPPEN LAST TIME…JAIL KABALYO SO HE COULD NOT HELP DOMINION MAKING KOLIGLIG A SURE CLEAR WINNER FOR 2016 ELECTION
Posted by Agimat nang linasin | September 30, 2015, 3:24 amA VERY WISE MOVE OF KING KOLIGLIG ENSURING THE QUEEN RUBY PENAFRANCIA TO CHECK MATE BLACK KING DOMINION …
Poor knight he is on jail and cant move..to help his KING
Posted by lakandula karawaoke | September 30, 2015, 3:40 amNow that kabalyo is convicted for the death of chito i urge all alipores of koliglig n others to stop spreading that the death of chito is a result of grand conspiracy of the opposition agains vicsyd. And i hope koliglig will stop capitalizing his brother death to boost the candidacy of his wife. Mahiya ka naman sa mga anak ni chito especially to chari if u still included the death of ur brod who make u millionaire in ur campaign slogan
Posted by eric shawn | September 30, 2015, 4:18 amDati bang nagtutulongan sina kabayo at demonic? Totoo bang walang kasalanan si kawawang cowboy? Yong mga mayores, sino kaya ang utak sa pagpatay? Sanay sa nangyari Kay kabayo ay aral o warning sa mga mamatay tao na politico at gayahin si boss takit ng tuloy nang tatahimik at uunlad ng Abra.
Posted by KAPITAN | September 30, 2015, 7:32 amKopitan i hate koliglig because he let abrenians to be killed just like that he did not even exerted effort to give justice for those victims of violence by his allies n foes. As governor if he cnt not prevent the killings of his cobstituents he has all the resources in his disposal to give justice to the victim. But he did nothing as lobg there are tongpats to be received from the substandard projects
Posted by eric shawn | September 30, 2015, 9:20 amEric Shawn be reminded that being a governor is not tantamount to being a policeman…He is not a god…
Posted by The TRUTH | October 2, 2015, 6:16 amApay ti “reclusion perpetua” ket dose anyos laengen?
Posted by Genti | September 30, 2015, 2:46 pmThere is still a forum to insist thst he is innocent. Lets wait the CA to review the case since it will automatically review by the higher court
Posted by eric shawn | September 30, 2015, 7:03 pmKITAM AGBALIW MAN TI PANONOOTH MON ERIC SHAWN STUDY AND LOOK THE DAYS BEFORE THE KILLING AND PUT IT IN THE DRAWING BOARD..
BEST ANGLE WHO ARE THEY ARE THE ONE WHO MADE THE TWO FIGHT EACH OTHER before
THEY PRETEND ANY HOW THAT THEY ARE FIGHTING BUT ITS NOT
HISTORY FOLLOWED next
THEY PUT EVERYTHING THE WEIGHT OF THE CRIME TO KABALYO WHICH IS NOT FAIR
TRUE POLITICAL AMBITION OF KOLIGLIG FOLOWED JAILED KABALYO SO BE IT REIGHN FOREVER
No one knows the culprit unless you followed the events at those times
90% of Abrenian does not believed kabalyo did it.and that the truth…
Posted by TRUE COLORS | October 1, 2015, 1:16 amI would like to share what i have learned from the idol of tagamasid who let filipino to run for president eventhough in the very start he have made decision already about 2016 elections which tagamasid and others fall to his trap that he does not like to be president but bec of the persistent clamor of the filipino he will hid the call. In his statement when i was included in the security cluster during a conference on terrorism presided by duterte as head of usec counter terrorism of GMA he lectured us about real truth n juridical truth. True colors might be true as his colors or he might be wrong unless the real truth must be converted to jurudical truth. The conviction of vicsyd was provided with real truth that the court believe beyond reasonabke doubt the jurudical truth presented by the prosecution however they can elevate it to CA bec nobody is perfect as one of candidates in the gay competition ansered the Q n A portion when he failed to anwer the question. The 90 percent which u are telling true colors who believed that vicsyd had nothing to do with the desth of chito are those idiot abrenians thst comprise the voters population who will make a political leader by accepting the money in exchange of their votes one of them is kopitan.
Posted by eric shawn | October 1, 2015, 1:42 amPilit mong inihahayag ang mensahimo sa English pero kasing labo ng tubing sa squater area. Bakit dila magtago log o ilocano o tingian. Tama ang sabi nila, gr 2 lang ang inabot at hindi puede maski kagawd lang. Poro hate ko si kologlig halatana naman inggit ka lang. Swerte nga ninyo sa Abra may leader tulad niya.
Katunayan naawa rin ako Kay kabayo. Maraming mapagkakatiwalaan tao tulad ng kaibigan na pare na nagsasabi na hindi siya ang tunay na salarin. Pero hindi rin totoo na tahimik ang Abra noong panahon ng aria Abra ( ari t Abra ?). Sa panahon niya namatay ang maraming mga mayoress, kapitanes, si harmless atty Pre, sang Bersamin, atbp. Swerte rin ninyo dumating si Gen. Magalong at ngayon si Gen Nerez nuetralized ng mga PAGS. Palagay ko bago election, yari na ang mga criminals na tinutugis ng Abra shield. Magtulongan tayo lagi, ihinto ang inggitan tulad ni Erika at yakapin ang tunay payapa at ginhawa.
Posted by KAPITAN | October 1, 2015, 8:32 amkopitan you are indeed one of the kagat tainga ni koliglig because u did not mention general billit’s role in the most critical fight of the bersamin. let me enumerate eventhough i hate all Billit’s had done to our beloved province
1. the victory of the bersamin grp
2.the arrest of Dupo thru rice trail that led to his safehouse in cainta
3. the arrest of vicysd for viol of illegal fA in QC and his arrest in connection with the death of Chito
4. The non filing of a case and return of evidence( paltog) evereytime arrest were made against allies of koliglig
all these mentioned above were acknowledge by koliglig everytime he made speeches to the public but turn of event billiit became a villain in the eyes of koliglig when allies on 2007 became foes on 2010.
Posted by eric shawn | October 1, 2015, 9:31 amTrue colors it seems u are affected of movies related to conspiracy thoery like cia inspired movies of jack ryan shadow recruit 3 days to kill, kill the messenger n others which i found it corny nevertheless i believe that the downfall of vicsyd was a result of a conspiracy bet malacanan, PNP n local politicians because gma got irked of what vicsyd did to her when she was launching her presidential ambition. The death of chito has nothing to do why the pnp supported the bersamin grp in 2007 they were taking orders frm sec puno so the rest is history.
Posted by eric shawn | October 1, 2015, 2:02 amI AM AGITATED TOO AGAINST THE TURNING OF EVENTS TRUE COLORS IT WAS ALL FABRICATED TO COVER UP JUSTICE
THIS wind of change MADE KOLIGLIG INTO POLITICS OR SAINTHOOD IN THE EYES OF ABRENIANS.
The CULPRIT. M..y..r IS STILL ON THE LOOSE
Jailing kabalyo will ensure their political ambition and not solving his brothers death
LET KABALYO OUT OF JAIL AND FOR SURE HE WILL HUNT THIS USERS
SAAN TO NGA PULOS NGA MASAPSAPOLAN NI KOLIGKIG NO SINO TI AKIN ARAMID MAYGAPO TA MAMATI DA LA UNAY TAY NAYPALAPAYAG KANYADA NGA BERSION TI SAAN NGA PUPPUDNO A CHISMISS..THEY SHOULD BASE ON FACTS NOT HEARSAYS..DETOY TAY SAMPLE NGA MABALIN MO NGA IYAW AWAN TI HUSTISYA TOY AYANTAYO AND TRUE THAT WE CAN LEARN A BIG LESSON FROM IT
Posted by BUNOG | October 1, 2015, 6:55 ami agree with you bunog on your observation that koliglig is very impulsive everytime he haerd from his boys about news that serve the interest of their group. a lot of people have been sacrificed even those people who helped him during the drkest time of their family, i knew some of them from the religious sector, media, bussines sector and most especially the PNP who hanged their uniform to ensure his victory on 2007 ive been in touch with them thru any means of communication and they are agreed that koliglig immediatley believed with out confirming first the news against those individual who were victims of the kagat tainga of his boys. for the death of chito i believed in the verdict of the court unless otherwise it will reverse by higher court that vicsyd is innocent. the court decided based from the evidences that transformed the real truth into juridical truth as duterte said,
Posted by eric shawn | October 1, 2015, 9:14 amI believe that he did not do it vicsyd is a good person for all I know.. If only he still one of the leaders here in Abra, our province is still a peaceful place. No crimes at all.
Posted by asha peralta | October 1, 2015, 7:26 amI like your comment Bunog that’s true
Posted by asha peralta | October 1, 2015, 7:31 amKAASI PAY METTEN PIMAN NI KABALYO TA ISU TI NAPABASOL TI KRIMEN NGA DINA MET INARAMID
DAPAT KOMA IDI NI CHARITO TI SIM MOKAT KEN TATANG NA ta NALAKLAKA NA KOMA NGA SINOLBAR TA ADD ADO TI TOMOLONGEN KEN CHARITO THE PEOPLE WILL DAMAY YO TILL THE END..saan nga nagbalin nga komplikado
ayna ta addad tan ni tadero sogador ken bartek nga KOLIGLIG NGA SIGAGATEL NGA TOMUGAWEN kastoy ti galad ti amen nga tao
For sure for now this case have been solve if She is the Governor at that time or even now maybe THE LIVING VISIBLE IS MAYOR X most of them was being killed one by one
SHE may have THE PATIECE TO PURSUE THIS CAUSE THATS HER DAD
PSYCHOLOGICALY SPEAKING THE BINDING BETWEEN FATHER AND DAUGHTER IS STRONGER THAN BROTHER TO BROTHER
CHARITO WAKE UP GO FOR THE POSITION THAT YOUR DAD WANNA BE
YOUR WILL BE AFTER ALL HAPPY IF YOU GUT THAT GOVERNOR POSITION
Your too loyal to your uncles
Go Go Go for 2016
Posted by THE LAST ABRENIAN TO KNOW | October 1, 2015, 6:19 pmAnya ngarud TI AMMO NI KOLIGLIG KET NAPAN LATTA MET NAG GOBERNADOREN NGA DINA AMMO TI HUSTO NGA PASAMAKEN PADAK MET NGA AGRIGRIGAT IDI DAYTOY TI PAGKAKATAON KON KONA NAN A NAG PO ONAN NAN A LATTAN TOY PASAMAK NI MANING NAN APAY NGAMIN AYA NGA SAAN NI CHARITO TI NANGALA TOY POSISYON A KAYAT NI TATANG NA DA UNCLE NA KET WALTA MET TAY GINANDAT DA TA MAKITA YO MET NI KABALYO NGA DINAPAY AMMO ISU TI NAPABASOLEN TAY PODNO NGA AKIN ARAMID AGIS ISEMEN A LATTAN ANYAPAY NO NANGAL ALA AN DA KET DI DAGITA NGA EBIDENSIYA NGA OLBOD
Kitam la ti politika polpol anya
Posted by MAG BEER MUNA TAYO | October 1, 2015, 8:28 pmShot muna tau ive been telling to koliglig that the death of chito shld not be included in their slogan if his wife rubi will be running. Dapat mahiya naman sila ke chari n chari shld not allow to use the death of his father to boost the candudacy of ambitoius wife of koliglig. Remember marcos fall was imeldas fault. They shld learn their lesson frm the past.
Posted by eric shawn | October 1, 2015, 9:22 pmEric Shawn be reminded that being a governor is not tantamount to being a policeman…He is not a god…
Posted by The TRUTH | October 2, 2015, 6:22 amShe is ambitious for the sake of Abrenians… Takit’s group is the least evil among the politicians of Abra. We should always be guided by LOGIC… Before Takit’s time, no progress… Look around now then analyze…
Posted by The TRUTH | October 2, 2015, 6:30 am“Ambitious for the sake of abrenians” sounds messianic pretensions for her to continue the legacy of her husband but she failed to tell the abrenians what her husband did for almost 9 years to help innocent victims of violence perpetrated by his allies and allies turned foes and to stop corruption at all level. Try to mingle with the upland mayors they think that IRA of their respective municipalities are part of their salaries. No one was held ccountable bec they share with her husband n worst he let evil to triumph for him to be saint in the eyes of idiot abrenians.
Posted by eric shawn | October 2, 2015, 7:19 amPEOPLES HOUSES ARE THE ONES GET IMPROVE NOT THE ROADS BRIDGES TRYCYCLE TRAFFIC ETC.THINK THAT THIS NEVER EXIST AND THINK WHAT KOLIGLIG DOES DURING HIS TERM TO BANGUED..MAYBE IN KAITNEGAN BUT ITS ALL DRAWING..GO TO COA AND SEE YEAR TO YEAR PROJECTS OF KOLIGLIG AND AMAZED HOW HE PICTURE THIS PROJECTS..PATO PATTOK NGA DALAN NO ACTUAL NO KITA EM TAY RETRATO KUNAMLA NO NALPASEN TI MAYSA NGA DALAN NGA APANDA BINOLDOSER NGA SIMAYSAYA ATAN NGA DALAN KET DAYTA BANGUED TAYUM ??SAAN MET NGA ANYA NGA NAPERDI APANDA LA INIKKAN TI ROAD MAINTAINANCE KEN WIDENING NALPAS NAY CLAIM NGA FULLY NEW ROAD CONSTRUCTION GO TO COA AND SEE A LOT OF CONSTRUCTION MAGIC NGA LINOLOKO NGA AR ARAMIDENVDAYTOY NGA TADERO..BASTA MAABAK TI DERBY NAMNAMA-EM ADDA MA MAGIC NGA ROAD CONSTRUCTION..GO TO LA PAZ ILOCOS NORTE ROAD IT WAS DECLARED FINISH PATO PATTOK NGA DALAN WHAHAHA MATAYAK NGA MANGKITA KADAGIROY IBAGBAGAYO NGA INARAMID NI TAKIO TALAGA NAMANG MAPAPA TANGING INA KA HAHAHA
Posted by MANOY MANOLO | October 3, 2015, 12:28 pmManoy manolo, Abra-Kalinga road and Abra Ilocos Norte are National Roads, Congressman iti akin project dayta babaen ti DPWH haan nga ni Koliglig. Ti contructor na dagita ken ni Mayor Nic
Posted by cotot | October 3, 2015, 5:25 pmKotot meron din tongpats si koliglig jan kaya walang action to investigate all the substandards infra. In short no moral ascendancy si koliglig kc nilamon na sya ng bulok na sistem
Posted by eric shawn | October 3, 2015, 8:49 pmTALAGA MET COTOT IT WAS ALL SUBSTANTIATED BY LEGAL DOCUMENTS INKA DITA COA AND SEE IT YOURSELF WHO SIGN THOSE BIDDING AND WHO APPROVED THOSE LASONG LASONG ABRA ILOCOS NORTE ABRA KALINGA ROAD LOOK ON THOSE DOCUMENTS AND PICTURES IS IT NOT KOLIGLIG SIGN THOSE DOCUMENTS HAY TAY KONAKON MAPAPA TANGING INA KA HAHAHA HANEP KAYA PALA PUWEDENG PUWEDENG MAGPAGO NANG ISANG MILYON SA ARENA NG PASIG
Posted by MANOY MANOLO | October 4, 2015, 4:32 amAbrenians have witness genuine change…
They know how to vote wisely despite all the propagandas of opposing parties.
Posted by The TRUTH | October 2, 2015, 6:36 amTruth isu ti pudno. Awan gasolinaan na , hotel, mansions nga adda mapa ti Abra t unegna diay turod ( baka awan danum na itan) ken awan Pags. Awan pulos pagilasinan ti kinalstog nga panagturay ni apo gobelnadol, marami talaga.
Posted by CONTRALASTOG | October 2, 2015, 7:03 amOne of koliglig’s depender n might be a spin doctor like u the truth is idolizing duterte although he is not a cop his city is the most peacful in the country. The reason why he let wvil to triumph is for him to be saint. Admittedly she is ambitoius im just asking her not to use the death in her campaign slogan in respect to the immediate family.
Posted by eric shawn | October 2, 2015, 7:05 am” Husgahan mo ako ( o kahit sino) kung Perfecto kang tao. Kung hindi, di kaman idiot na lagi mong binabanggit ihinto mo na ang druga na paing ng demonio.”
Posted by KAPITAN | October 3, 2015, 9:31 amkopitan you are indeed one of the kagat tainga ni koliglig because u did not mention general billit’s role in the most critical fight of the bersamin. let me enumerate eventhough i hate all Billit’s had done to our beloved province
1. the victory of the bersamin grp
2.the arrest of Dupo thru rice trail that led to his safehouse in cainta
3. the arrest of vicysd for viol of illegal fA in QC and his arrest in connection with the death of Chito
4. The non filing of a case and return of evidence( paltog) evereytime arrest were made against allies of koliglig
all these mentioned above were acknowledge by koliglig everytime he made speeches to the public but turn of event billiit became a villain in the eyes of koliglig when allies on 2007 became foes on 2010.
POSTED BY ERIC SHAWN | OCTOBER 1, 2015, 9:31 AM
kopitan i aprreciate you if could argue with me in english so that i could guess what salary grade are you if you are emplyoyed in permanet status , terminous or jobless.
Posted by eric shawn | October 3, 2015, 10:37 amWow SO LET IT BE THAT THIS 2016 abrenians will choose the right ones ta di man met tay nagatel nga tumakawen ti intay amin ibotos sen
Posted by are we all talking shit ? | October 2, 2015, 10:41 pmNaudi papanko balwarte turod inparking ko luganko 100 m ti kaadayo ti guardhouse dagiti botiguards, PAGS. Immsaideg maysa nga lastog nga botiguard kunana awan as-asinna ‘ iyatrasmo pay ta lugan mo!’ Kunak toy kaduak nga ex army, nangitugot ta koma M203 . Madamdama sumongad ni cowboy, saan nakon nga am-ammo kalpasan nga naglayos ti botos idi diay lugar ko. Kasta ti banagen ti agin aari, Landok ti aglikmot ti tungpalna.
Posted by CONTRALASTOG | October 5, 2015, 12:34 amAy agkatkatawan ah ngarud tattan dyay usto nga mastermind ti pannakatay ni cong chito,cgurado bagidan ti abra ay adu manen nga mansion nga balbalay ti maipatakeder ken adu man nga holiday trip dyay abroad ti pamasamaken ah
Posted by Hans | October 7, 2015, 12:22 amAsino aya ti ammom nga mastermind balong ibagam ah wenno maysa ka met nga idiot
Posted by eric shawn | October 7, 2015, 6:43 amWahaha damagem ken ANDIT ERIC SHAWN BARENG NO AGKOMPESAR KET KENKAn
Posted by MANOY MANOLO | October 8, 2015, 12:31 amJust analyze!who benefited much on the death of cong chito?
Posted by Hans | October 8, 2015, 12:52 amKOLIGLIG IS SLEEPING WITH HIS ON ENEMIES and wrongfully accused kabalyo ..whahaha. ..by 2016 .isu isu da payen ti aglalabanen
No sinno ti aglalaban ti ngato a turay tono 2016
Posted by MANOY MANOLO | October 8, 2015, 1:10 amNI ANDIT NGA LUCIFER KEN DAGITOY KAPAMILYA NA NGA DEMONYO TA BANGUED NGA MANGIBAGBAGA NGA KOKUA DA TI TURAYEN
TI AWAN SABALI KEN AWAN LABASNAN TI ISEM NGA ISEMEN
AKALA NINYO HINDI NAMIN ALAM YAN MGA HUDAS
Posted by Enkanto | October 8, 2015, 7:36 amGasgas kasi yan e nung luna amg bumanga ke koliglig un sin sabe nyo si angkik mastermind ano ba talaga kuya? Ano kaya pg ako lumaban din ke koliglig ako din mastermind ano ba yan i think chari will make statement here once and for all wawa si chito e koliglig is using the death of chito for his politcal greed advancement
Posted by eric shawn | October 8, 2015, 9:42 amDaguiti nagnumar ti papatay ni cong. chito, ket da cezy luna, takit, dominic, joy bernos, mila valera, ryan luna, ken daguiti PAGS da daguitoy nga kampon ni taning. anya ti makunam eric shawn?
Posted by manong manolo | October 8, 2015, 4:40 pmU forgot to mention the dwarf frm penarubia the ambitious wife of koliglig as one of her alipores said in his post
Posted by eric shawn | October 9, 2015, 10:53 amasino aya ti koliglig kin sino met kabalyo?
Posted by abraako | October 27, 2015, 11:55 pmasino ti koliglig ken sino met ti kabalyo?
Posted by abraako | October 27, 2015, 11:57 pm