AP Bren started the year on a bright note after scoring a couple of victories on different fronts.
The Esports powerhouse celebrated another milestone after the stable’s successful run in the year that passed was not left unnoticed.
AP Bren, formerly known as Bren Esports, was feted with a special citation award during the prestigious San Miguel Corporation-Philippine Sportswriters Association Annual Awards Night held at the Diamond Hotel Manila last Monday.
The squad won its second title last December in the Mobile Legends Bang Bang M5 World Championship after beating a pesky ONIC Esports-Indonesia side in the Grand Finals that went the full seven games.
Just days after receiving recognition from the country’s oldest media organization, AP Bren founder Bernard “Bren” Chong got another legal victory after the Department of Justice junked the falsification charges filed by the National Bureau of Investigation for lack of probable cause.
In a 27-page decision approved by Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento, the Justice department found no probable cause to file a case against Chong.
Alaine Margaret Chong and other defendants were also cleared for falsification of Commercial Documents.
“After a careful and judicious evaluation of the records and evidence presented in this case, it is the stern opinion of the undersigned panel of prosecutors that no probable cause exists against the respondents for the charges of Falsification of Commercial Documents,” the order dated 10 October 2023 read.
The NBI filed a case against Chong and several personnel of Brenterprise International Inc. for allegedly printing fraudulent receipts in May 2023.
According to the decision, the allegation is ‘too general and lacking the elements of the crime of falsification’ in the evidence submitted.
With respect to the charge of printing fraudulent receipts or sales invoices under the National Internal Revenue Code, the prosecutors said there is no authorization from the Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner to file a case.
“There is no authorization from the BIR Commissioner as to the filing of the case hence, dismissible. The fact that it is being related to the Cyber Criminal Law is of no moment since the original charge is for NIRC violation,” the prosecutors added.
Chong was earlier cleared of drug smuggling charges.
