Jason Ivler, the suspect behind the fatal shooting of the son of Presidential Management Staff Undersecretary Renato Victor Ebarle Sr. in November 18, 2009, appeared Thursday morning before a Pasig City Metropolitan Trial Court (MeTC) to hear the civil aspect of a case of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, slight physical injuries and damage to property stemming from a road incident in Pasig City in August of 2004.

Ivler, who was handcuffed and wearing a Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) shirt, arrived at the Pasig City Hall of Justice shortly past 8:30 a.m. and was tightly guarded by jail guards from the Quezon City jail where he is presently detained.

He was immediately escorted by jail guards to the sala of MeTC Branch 71 Judge Maria Gracia Cadiz-Casaclang.

Court records show that on August 4, 2004, Ivler was driving a Toyota Prado Land Cruiser Wagon owned by his step father, Stephen Pollard, when he hit the Isuzu Trooper (XLN-714) of Malacanang Undersecretary Nestor C. Ponce, then presidential adviser for resettlement, at the C-5 Ortigas flyover.

Ponce sustained multiple traumatic injuries as a result of the incident which resulted in his death and damage to his vehicle.

On the other hand, Ponce’s wife, Evangeline, who was with him during the incident, sustained physical injuries which required medical assistance.

On September 7, 2004 then MeTC Branch 71 Judge Maria Rowena Modesto-San Pedro, who is now the Judge of Pasig City RTC Branch 158, found Ivler guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of reckless imprudence resulting in slight physical injuries and was sentenced to public censure after he entered a plead of “guilty” during his arraignment.

Ivler, 27, of Blueridge A, Quezon City, however, asked the court to quash the more serious charges, claiming double jeopardy, but his motion was denied. Ivler’s petition for review is pending at the Supreme Court.