Makati court orders arrest of RP envoy to Chile

Ambassador to Chile Ma. Consuelo "Baby" Puyat-Reyes has been ordered arrested by the Makati Regional Trial Court for failing to testify in court on matters regarding her late husband's estate.

The ongoing court case is between Puyat-Reyes and her stepdaughters, Christina and Rina Reyes.

In papers filed in court, Christina, special administrator of the estate of Gregorio H. Reyes, said Puyat-Reyes had not obeyed the court's order to present herself for deposition and to produce documents requested by Christina.

A deposition is the taking down of testimony of a party in a case or witness who cannot appear in court.

Christina had also asked the court to prevent Puyat-Reyes from leaving the country unless she presents an affidavit corroborated by Foreign Affairs Secretary Domingo Siazon Jr. stating the need for the trip.

Vic Velasquez, counsel of Christina and Rina, said Puyat-Reyes would continue to violate the court's orders unless she is arrested and brought before the court.

He quoted Puyat-Reyes as saying that she does not have time for the taking of her deposition because she would be busy in conferences with President Estrada and Secretary Siazon.

Velasquez said Puyat-Reyes has threatened to deprive Christina and Rina of their inheritance from the estate of their father.

The late Gregorio H. Reyes was a scion of the Reyes family who owned the Sta. Ana racetrack in Makati.