Arrested radiomen urge Ombudsman to probe Emphasis

The two radio blocktimers who were earlier arrested in an entrapment operation for alleged extortion are getting back at Philippine Reclamation Authority director Elberto Emphasis by asking the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas to conduct a lifestyle check against him.

During a press conference yesterday, Reynaldo "Rey" Cortez and Lito "Bingbong" Solon are also contemplating to file a bribery case against Emphasis.

Cortez and Solon yesterday questioned how Emphasis was able to possess a BMW sports vehicle and other luxury vehicles, urging the anti-graft office to look into his lifestyle.

They also accused Emphasis of dropping the name of First Gentleman Miguel "Mike" Arroyo while meddling in the affairs at the Bureau of Customs. The two likewise questioned why Emphasis maintains a blocktime radio program over dyLA when he is a government official.

"Nganong manghilabot man siya sa affairs sa Customs," Cortez said.

Cortez said there is clearly a conflict of interest in Emphasis' handling a radio program and his being a public official.

Emphasis refused to comment on Cortez' allegations, saying that he might be held in contempt of court for subjudici. He said he would answer the allegations in the proper forum.

But Emphasis told dyLA that he would ask the court to cite Solon and Cortez in contempt for making comments on the case before the media when it is already pending in court. The press conference of Solon and Cortez will be made as his basis in asking the court to cite the two in contempt.

The two insisted that they did not demand money from Emphasis, claiming that they were set up. Cortez said they were invited by Emphasis thru Elias Baquero, a newspaper reporter, for a meeting allegedly to patch things up.

Baquero admitted having opened the communication line between Emphasis and the two blocktimers but denied any involvement in the entrapment. He said Emphasis asked him if he could contact Solon and Cortez because he wanted to talk to them.

Baquero stressed that he was never aware of any plan to conduct an entrapment operation, adding that during their conversation with the two, they did not demand any amount of money. But Baquero said he was not also privy to the arrangement between Emphasis and the two accused.

Solon and Cortez were arrested last week inside a restaurant at a mall in the North Reclamation Area while reportedly accepting an envelope containing the P20,000 marked money.

The two, however, were only charged with grave threats before the Municipal Trial Court in Cities by the prosecutor's office. City prosecutor Nicolas Sellon downgraded the original case of robbery that the NBI has filed against the two. - Fred P. Languido/LPM