HONG KONG – The trial of a Filipino driver accused of killing his domestic worker girlfriend more than three years ago has begun at the High Court, according to a report by The SUN.
On the first day of his trial last Friday, Bernie Macatangay Valencia, 45, admitted to repeatedly punching his girlfriend, Ivy Villaluz Quiabang, 37, in the head on December 22, 2021. However, he insisted that he did not intend to kill her.
“I plead not guilty to murder, but I plead guilty to manslaughter,” Valencia said when asked for his plea.
His lawyers argued that Valencia did not intend to cause serious bodily harm or kill Quiabang through what they described as a “dangerous act.”
Prosecution’s statement
The prosecution, however, claimed that Valencia was responsible for Ivy’s death, not only due to the assault but also because he failed to take her to the hospital.
In her opening statement, the prosecutor told the jury that the incident began after a Christmas party, when an argument between the couple escalated upon their return to their subdivided unit on Stone Nullah Lane, Wan Chai.
Due to the blows inflicted by Valencia, Quiabang was left severely bruised, unable to stand, and unable to eat properly. Despite seeing her deteriorating condition, Valencia did not seek medical help. It was only the next day that he asked fellow tenants in their shared accommodation to check on his girlfriend.
Quiabang’s friends became alarmed when they noticed she had lost control of her bodily functions. They then called the police.
When rushed to Ruttonjee Hospital, Quiabang was already in a coma. She was later transferred to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, where doctors discovered she had suffered a brain hemorrhage. She was immediately operated on but never regained consciousness.
On the morning of January 2, 2023, the day she was supposed to start with a new employer, Quiabang passed away at 7:52 AM. She left behind two children in the Philippines.
Investigation and trial
According to the prosecution, Valencia did not disclose the assault to paramedics or the police, merely stating that his girlfriend was “sleeping.”
To prove their case, the prosecution will present evidence from 18 witnesses, surveillance footage, social media messages retrieved from the defendant’s digital devices, and an hour-long interview he had with investigators.
The trial before Judge William Tam is set to last 12 days.