Martinez: We have options to counter case

CEBU, Philippines - The Martinezes said they still have a lot of options to counter the malversation case filed against them.

This was said by Bogo City Mayor Celestino “Junie” Martinez Jr. yesterday regarding the case against his wife, former congresswoman Clavel Asas-Martinez who allegedly misused her Priority Development Assistance Fund in 2003.

Two children of the couple were also implicated in the case, former Bogo city mayor Celestino “Tining” Martinez III and former Girl Scouts of the Philippines treasurer Ma. Cielo Martinez.

Junie claimed that contrary to the report of The Freeman last Wednesday, July 17, they have not received yet any warrant of arrest related to the Anti-Graft and corrupt practices act case and the malversation of public funds case and against his family members and four others.

“There has been no warrant of arrest na niabot namo. As far as they are concerned, naabot man kuno,” said Martinez.

In The FREEMAN report though, it was indicated as stated by Jaime Cabrera, clerk of court of the Second Division of the Sandiganbayan, that they have sent the warrant of arrest through ordinary mail to the Police Regional Office-7.

It was also explained by Marisi Noel of the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division that the warrant will be sent through the office of the Regional Director first before it is sent to them who will also forward it to the Cebu Provincial Police Office considering that the respondents live in Bogo City.

“We can always post bail but there are other remedies pa man gud so we can still file a motion,” said Martinez, adding that if the warrant or the copy of Sandiganbayan’s denial of their urgent motion to defer the issuance of the warrant of arrest arrives.

Based on the recommendation of the anti-graft office, the Martinezes can post bail for the anti-graft case but then the malversation of public funds is non-bailable.

Junie said that his wife was in Manila to follow up on the case.

He clarified though that their political alliance with the Liberal Party of  President Benigno Aquino III will not be used.

“No. It’s a legal matter,” he said.

Apart from the three Martinezes, four others were named respondents of the cases, namely former municipal treasurer Rhett Minguez, former municipal accountant Cresencio Verdida, bookkeeper Rhodariza Kilantang and GSP Cebu Council cashier Julieta Quino. — /BRP (FREEMAN)