Attorney Lorna Kapunan has reportedly resigned as the legal counsel of Charlie “Atong” Ang.

“We just submitted the preliminary documents through the other lawyers. I’ve already submitted my supplemental affidavit. To be honest with you, Attorney Kapunan was doing her job—as a lawyer.”

This case has remained a cold case for the past four years. If Atong Ang truly had no involvement in the deaths or disappearances of the cockfighting enthusiasts, then could Dondon be the one who knows more?

But the bigger question is—when your name is tied to serious accusations, who can you really rely on? What if your own lawyer suddenly drops your case? That’s what happened to one of the most controversial figures in the world of gambling and business today—Atong Ang.

And so the question now is: why did Attorney Lorna Kapunan walk away from representing Atong Ang? Was there a deeper reason behind this decision?

Let’s go back a little for context. Charlie “Atong” Ang is no stranger to the news. He’s a well-known businessman and is even dubbed the “gambling king” of the country.

As investigations deepened, more pieces began to emerge—bones found on a farm, testimonies from alleged witnesses, and unanswered questions that continue to pile up.

And in cases like this, it’s not just money you need, but a sharp, unshakable lawyer to defend you in court. That’s where Atty. Lorna Kapunan came in.

She’s one of the most seasoned lawyers in the country, a graduate of UP Law, daughter of a former Supreme Court Justice, and a familiar face in media as a radio host and columnist.

Her previous clients include prominent figures like Janet Lim Napoles, James Yap, and Heide Mendoza-Co.

At first, the partnership between Atong Ang and Atty. Kapunan seemed promising. When Ang filed a complaint against the witness known as alias “Totoy,” Attorney Kapunan was right by his side—fully supportive and seemingly ready to face the chaos.

But just weeks later, news broke that Atty. Kapunan had withdrawn as Atong Ang’s legal counsel. It was sudden, without detailed explanation in the media, and many netizens were left wondering: Why now?

Why leave in the middle of such a high-profile controversy?

According to some reports, there were disagreements between Atong Ang’s camp and Atty. Kapunan. But with no official statement from either party, speculation continues.

Others claim that Kapunan may have simply wanted to distance herself from an increasingly complicated case.

Some say it was a tactical move, especially now that the investigation is uncovering more—like bones from the farm that, according to the PNP, contain both human and animal remains, requiring intense forensic work.

Worse, authorities are now gathering DNA samples from the families of the missing cockfighting enthusiasts to match them with the recovered bones—this could potentially lead to solid, damning evidence.

And at this point, it’s clear that this case requires not just legal expertise, but nerves of steel and unwavering resolve.

But that’s not the end of the story. After news of Kapunan’s withdrawal spread, another bombshell emerged:

According to political insiders, Atty. Kapunan reportedly chose to focus on preparing for another high-profile legal battle—the upcoming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Yes—you heard that right. She chose politics over defending Atong Ang, who is now heavily implicated in the case of the missing cockfighting bettors.

In essence, it appears Kapunan prioritized the more politically significant case over Atong’s.

Now that she’s out, the legal defense of Atong Ang is being handled by the Ronda Injola Law Office.

New faces, new strategy. But the question remains—are they capable of matching the legal weight that Kapunan brought to the table?

The new legal team isn’t widely known, which is why many are closely watching how they handle the case.

As the investigation continues, so does the complex forensic process. Authorities emphasize that cross-matching the recovered bones is no simple task.

If the remains were straightforward, the process would be quick—but these bones are a mix of human and animal.

The Philippine Coast Guard led the underwater recovery operation, and they said the situation was difficult—not only because of the condition of the bones but also due to the lack of a clear picture of what really happened.

Even the timeline for results remains uncertain, according to the authorities.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is now overseeing the entire process. This is being treated as a whole-of-government effort.

Yet despite full support, limitations remain. The technical challenges are immense, so each step is being taken with extreme caution and time.

As of now, evidence is still being processed, and with no conclusive findings yet, Atong Ang’s situation continues to worsen.

It’s now harder for him to find another strong defense, especially since his former lawyer has seemingly chosen the louder political path.

Was he really abandoned for a more prestigious and powerful case, or did Kapunan see something troubling in Atong’s case that pushed her to withdraw?

According to some, Atty. Kapunan may have left the case because she didn’t want her reputation tarnished.

After all, in the eyes of the public, defending someone linked to a case involving dozens of missing men doesn’t look good.

Some fear she could end up like other lawyers before her—criticized, their reputations ruined, their families dragged into the controversy, and even losing future clients.

So in a way, Kapunan’s decision may be seen as a form of damage control—a move to protect herself from being pulled down by Atong’s scandal.

There’s even a heavier theory: that since Atong Ang is known to be closely allied with the Dutertes, and Kapunan is believed to be part of a group preparing to prosecute VP Sara, a direct conflict of interest may have occurred.

Had she continued to defend Atong Ang, her loyalty may have been questioned, and her place in the impeachment panel could have been compromised.

So for some, it’s now clear that Atty. Kapunan chose the side she believed was more important at this time: the internal battle within government.

And as a lawyer seasoned in both legal and political circles, she is no stranger to such critical decisions.

Still, her departure doesn’t mean Atong Ang has no fight left.

He still has the right to defend himself, no matter how serious the allegations are. That’s one of the most basic principles of law—the right to be heard and to mount a defense.

So even without Kapunan, the legal battle isn’t over. There are still strong lawyers in the country who might be willing to take on the case.

The question is: who will be brave enough to stake their name defending Atong Ang?

In the end, it’s clear that walking away from a case like this is no simple matter.

On one hand, we understand Kapunan’s decision, especially if she has a deeper role in a more pressing national issue.

But on the other hand, Atong Ang now finds himself seemingly alone in the storm.

That’s real life. No matter how much money or connections you have, you can’t control who chooses to stay by your side.

Now that Kapunan is gone, the road ahead may be harder—but the fight isn’t over.

So the question is—who’s next? Which lawyer will risk their name for Atong Ang?

And if you were a lawyer, and you were offered this case, would you accept it? Or would you walk away to avoid being dragged into the controversy?