Warrant out vs. Clavel, et al. for malversation

CEBU, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan Second Division issued last Monday the warrant of arrest against former congresswoman Clavel Asas-Martinez and six others over the alleged misuse of her Priority Development Assistance Fund or pork barrel in 2003.

Jaime Cabrera, clerk of court of the Second Division told The Freeman that the warrant of arrest was already sent through ordinary mail to the Police Regional Office-7.

“Yesterday (Monday) we sent the warrant through ordinary mail,” he said.

Others named respondents were Clavel’s son, former Bogo City Mayor Celestino “Tining” Martinez III, her daughter and former Girl Scouts of the Philippines treasurer Ma. Cielo Martinez, municipal treasurer Rhett Minguez, municipal accountant Cresencio Verdida, bookkeeper Rhodariza Kilantang and GSP Cebu Council cashier Julieta Quino.

The issuance of the warrant of arrest came after the Sandiganbayan denied the urgent motion to defer the issuance of warrant of arrest filed by the respondents.

In their motion, the respondents asked for the deferment of the issuance of the arrest warrant pending resolution of their motion for reconsideration filed before the Office of the Ombudsman.

The Office of the Ombudsman indicted respondents for violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-graft and corrupt practices act and malversation of public funds for the alleged P10 million-allocation to the GSP to be used for an anti-drug illegal campaign, which was allegedly deposited in Clavel’s personal bank account instead.

The anti-graft office recommended P40,000 bail for the anti-graft case while no bail for malversation.

As of yesterday, the Police Regional Office-7 has not yet received any copy of the warrant of arrest.

Marisi Noel, Non-Uniformed Personnel of the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division, said it will be directly sent to the Office of the Regional Director before it will be received at the RIDMD.

The RIDMD will then forward the warrant to the assigned office where the respondents is.

But, since the Martinezes reside in Bogo City, the warrant will be forwarded to the Cebu Provincial Police Office and will be implemented by the Bogo City police.

“Sila na ang mo-implement kay jurisdiction man sa Cebu province,” she said in a phone interview.

Former Bogo City mayor Celestino III said they will file the necessary motion when the time comes. -with Gregg M. Rubio/BRP (FREEMAN)