Managaysay Enters Plea of "Not Guilty" in 2 Counts of Murder

Samar’s most wanted Managaysay enters a plea of “Not Guilty” in two counts of Murder cases during a Court hearing in the afternoon of May 13, 2024.

Seven (7) of the cases filed against Jimmy Managaysay y Elbano, alias Bruno, were set for arraignment and pre-trial hearings in Branch 32, Regional Trial Court, 8th Judicial Region in Calbayog City, presided by Acting Presiding Judge Maricar Lucero.

Duly assisted by his Lawyer, accused Managaysay, entered a plea of “not guilty” to Criminal Cases 6558 and 7731, both for Murder - incidents that date back to 2011 and 2016, respectively. He is the lone suspect for the death of Jason Montemayor in 2011. In the latter case (Crim. Case # 7731), Managaysay is one among other suspects in killing Joseph Jalayajay. Two other suspects were dropped from the case. In an amended Information approved in October 2016, Managaysay was left as the lone suspect. Trial hearings for these 2 cases are now set starting June 10, 2024 until January 2025.

Judge Lucero, however, inhibited from hearing criminal cases (numbers 6998 & 6999) for Frustrated Murder and three cases for Murder (number 7000, 7001 & 7002) against Managaysay for reasons of having notarized an Affidavit of Desistance of 5 complainants dropping from the case 2 of Managaysay’s co-accused in the year 2016 when she was yet a practicing private lawyer.

These 5 cases were ordered endorsed to the Clerk of Court for inclusion in the raffle draw of cases to be assigned to Courts. Until the cases are assigned to Courts after the raffle draw will arraignment and pre-trial hearings ensue.
Meanwhile, Managaysay is committed to the custody of Calbayog District Jail of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) as per Commitment Order addressed to the Jail Warden, dated May 10, 2024.

It can be recalled that Managaysay was declared as Public Enemy Number by the Calbayog City Peace and Order Council in 2018 setting a bounty of P1 million pesos for his capture - dead or alive.

In May 05, 2024, Managaysay surrendered to police authorities in Calbayog City. He was subsequently presented to DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos, Jr. in Catarman, Northern Samar on May 06, 2024. He remained in custody of Calbayog PNP until his custody was turned over to BJMP.(CJ/JMM)