Wanted: Former Justice Isias Dicdican in Connection with Joey Luis Wee's Murder in Cebu
A retired Court of Appeals justice, Isaias Dicdican, has been ordered for arrest by a local court in Cebu City in connection with the 2020 murder of lawyer Joey Luis Wee. Signed by Judge Merlo Pasco Bagano of Cebu City Regional Trial Court Branch 14, the warrant dated May 26, 2025, mandates the apprehension of Dicdican, following a court ruling on May 19 that allowed the prosecution to present an amended information naming him as a co-conspirator in Wee's killing.
Edwin Layese, a former colonel and a suspect in the case, has expressed support for the amended charges but requested a reclassification of his role. The court denied this request, stating that the prosecution holds the authority to determine who to charge and in what capacity. Layese has since applied to become a state witness, offering to testify against the alleged masterminds of the crime.
Dicdican faces a charge of murder, a non-bailable offense, under Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code. The court guidelines require arresting officers to use body-worn cameras and adhere to Supreme Court rules for warrant execution to ensure proper documentation. Wee, a lawyer, was killed outside his office in Barangay Kasambagan on November 23, 2020, by assailants on a motorcycle.
The motive behind Dicdican's alleged plot to kill Wee is believed to be work-related and connected to a grudge involving another individual named "Riza." According to an extrajudicial confession by one of the accused gunmen, Dicdican, together with Riza, offered a million pesos for the killing of Wee. Riza reportedly held a grudge against Wee over a case in which she was liable to pay a large sum of money to Wee's clients after losing and was allegedly bullied by Wee in and out of court.
This is not the first time Dicdican has been embroiled in controversy. The Department of Justice has previously stated that he should be held equally liable for murder[1][3]. Dicdican's case has garnered significant attention due to his position as a retired justice and the serious nature of the allegations against him. If found guilty, he could face disbarment as a penalty[4].
[1] - https://www.rappler.com/nation/670006-justice-dicdican-arrest-warrant-joey-wee-murder[2] - https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/9/3/joey-wee-murder-case-edwin-layese-affidavit.html[3] - https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/05/30/22/justice-dicdican-arrest-warrant-for-jurisdictional-lapses[4] - https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/09/21/2104197/inday-cruz-defense-team-seeks-trial-separation-joey-wee-murder-rap
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1) The general-news headlines in Cebu, Philippines, continue to be dominated by political scandals, as a retired Court ofAppeals justice, Isaias Dicdican, faces a charge of murder in connection with the work-related killing of lawyer Joey Luis Wee.
2) The crime-and-justice system in Cebu City is under scrutiny, following the issuance of an arrest warrant for Dicdican, who is accused of conspiring to murder Wee. The court guidelines require that body-worn cameras be used during the arrest and that Supreme Court rules for warrant execution be followed.
3) The allegations against Dicdican have sparked national debate, with some calling for a thorough investigation of the case and others calling for justice to be served. If found guilty, Dicdican could face disbarment as a penalty, and the case may have significant implications for the future of Philippine politics and the justice system.
