CEBU, Philippines - Joavan Fernandez, the controversial son of Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez, is again a free man after he posted bail yesterday morning at the Regional Trial Court Branch 13 presided by judge Meinrado Paredes.
Yesterday, Fernandez was charged for Illegal Possession of Firearms and Ammunition, the Comelec Gun Ban and Grave Threats after he allegedly pointed a gun at nurse Vincent Castrodes when the latter’s BMW almost collided with Joavan’s red Isuzu Big Horn last Friday.
The bail was set at P160,000 for the first two cases but since the camp of Fernandez filed for a Surety Bond it was reduced to P40,000. It was explained that they cannot get the bail back even if Fernandez is proven innocent.
A surety bail bond is issued by a company, through its agent or bail bondsman, ensuring the appearance of a defendant. The defendant pays the bail agent a non-refundable fee equivalent to a percentage of the bail amount to provide this guarantee to the court.
A woman close to Joavan said many of his friends contributed to be able to raise the money.
“Nahiubos gyud ko sa nahitabo niya karun, mura gyud siya ug gi-harass,” she said.
Later in a phone interview, Joavan assured he will face the charges against him.
“Dili nalang ko mo-comment ana, ako nalang gyud abogado ang estoryahi,” he also added.
The usually composed Mayor Fernandez almost lost his nerve with the media after he saw cameramen trying to get footage of his son who was detained at the city’s detention cell, just two floors down from his office.
Fernandez, who visited his son yesterday morning, tried to shoo away the cameramen of local television news.
In a report aired over ABS-CBN’s TV Patrol Central Visayas, Fernandez told cameramen and reporters who were tailing heading to the holding cell that they should ask permission from him first.
Carmel Matus, a reporter of radio station dyHP, said the mayor was only trying to explain his point to the media. He was not angry contrary to other reports, she said.
“Para nako di man gyud to ingon nga kasaba kay di man isog ang tingog sa mayor, morag gayawyaw lang kay wa man siya pangayo-i og courtesy nga kuhaan og video ang iyang pagduaw ug nakasabot ra sab mi ato,” said Matus.
Mayor Fernandez again refused to issue a statement on his son’s case saying that it is now with the courts.
Meanwhile, the Cebu Provincial Police Office said they cannot yet file the charges against Mayor Fernandez who allegedly removed a red bag from the Isuzu Bighorn even as it was under guard by the police following the gun-pointing incident.
Provincial Intelligence Division and Management Branch chief Sr. Insp. Ruben Cuizon said they have yet to get more witnesses to strengthen the case. — Lesley S. Caminade, Liv G. Campo and Gabriel Bonjoc/BRP (THE FREEMAN)