Ecleo's hospitalization stalls trial

CEBU, Philippines – The trial of the parricide case against cult leader Ruben Ecleo Jr. was rescheduled again due to his alleged confinement at a hospital in Manila.

The cross-examination on Ecleo was supposed to resume yesterday but defense lawyer Orlando Salatandre moved to reschedule it because his client was confined at the Makati Medical Center because of heart ailment.

Salatandre presented a certification issued by Dr. Robert Anastacio of Makati Medical Center, claiming that Ecleo was confined in their hospital. The certification also contained the number of the hospital for verification purposes.

According to Salatandre, Ecleo has been not feeling well since the last hearing on October 6 as the latter is suffering high blood pressure.

Ecleo was allegedly confined at the hospital last Monday.

In fact, Salatandre said that they are already prepared for the cross examination but he was informed last night that Ecleo can't attend because he was hospitalized.

Prosecution lawyer Democrito Barcenas said that he was ready for the cross examination and took a month to prepare.

Barcenas was supposed to cross-examine Ecleo.

Meanwhile, Judge Soliver Peras, who handles the parricide case against Ecleo, said yesterday that he was supposed to attend a seminar, which was ordered by the Supreme Court, but he opted not to attend because of the scheduled cross-examination on Ecleo.

Peras asked Salatandre how long Ecleo will remain in the hospital, to which the defense lawyer answered that he has no idea.

The judge said that if Ecleo will not be able to attend the next hearing on November 10, the defense should place any witness to be cross-examined.

Salatandre said they have two to three witnesses to present.

During the last trial of the case on October 6, the prosecution failed to cross-examine Ecleo after his lawyer moved for its rescheduling as the accused allegedly suffered high blood pressure.

In his testimony earlier, the "supreme master" of the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association denied any hand in the killing of his wife, Alona Bacolod-Ecleo, and accused her brother, Josebil Bacolod, of lying. (FREEMAN)