Lofranco’s Statement

A Press Statement by the Lofranco family on the Janine murder case
March 8, 2007

It is a basic tenet of our law that a person is deemed innocent until proven guilty. In our case however, long before cases were filed against us, public opinion had already been conditioned to condemn us as guilty. This was what happened in Catbalogan and this is what had been and is now happening in Tacloban as the preliminary investigation had been transferred here. Our detractors persist on labeling us guilty, by innuendos and malicious insinuations, until we prove ourselves innocent. As a result, we are forced to go through a terrible experience that had been already damaged our reputation and further threatens to damage our very lives and future, not to mention our home and family.

Since the date of the fire, November 14, 2006, we, the Lofrancos, have been the subject of baseless, malicious and unfounded rumors and there had been a continuous, relentless and concerted effort to build public prejudice and bias against us. Before the filing of these cases against us, unfounded and malicious rumors of bribery and of threatening potential witnesses were spread around. But the current state of things speak for itself. The agencies and individuals whom the Lofrancos have supposedly bribed and threatened are on the side of the complainant.

Now that cases had been filed against us, there are again baseless innuendos of us threatening the other side’s witnesses. As it was then and so it is now, this is not true. Recently, news articles regarding an alleged PDEA operation always make reference to the cases filled against us. Hence, the malicious innuendo that we have a hand in such matter notwithstanding that, clearly, we do not have the power and the capacity to do so. More significantly, we have no reason to do this. Worthwhile noting that in the cases filed against us, there were two (2) autopsies conducted and both autopsy reports were submitted as evidence against us. Everyone knows also that, in law and in fact, an autopsy report never will and never does indicate who committed the crime, if indeed there was foul-play.

We would like to assure the public that our desire is also to “ferret out the truth and serve justice to where and whom justice is due.” Verily, the truth and nothing but the truth will clear our name. It is therefore imperative that the whole truth be found out. When truth shines, justice is served.

The charges filed against us are still in the preliminary investigation stage. Hence, a determination is not yet to be made if the evidences submitted against us before the Prosecutor’s Office constitute “prima facie” evidence that crimes were committed and “prima facie” evidence against the Lofrancos for the filing of cases in court. We fervently appeal to everyone to allow us to air our side before making any pre-judgments. After we have committed our counter-affidavits and supporting evidences, we invite everyone to look at the evidences of both sides closely and let the facts speak for themselves.

Ultimately, we rest our case on the Almighty God, before whom nothing is hidden. We take consolation in the fact that He is the God of truth, justice and righteousness, who vindicates the innocent and punishes the guilty.

For the sake of truth and justice, it is also our sincere hope and prayer that this case be resolved without delay. 

(Sgd.) LEO L. LOFRANCO, M.D.