Envoy denies snubbing court hearings

Philippine Ambassador to Chile Ma. Consuelo "Baby" Puyat-Reyes denied yesterday reports that she had snubbed court hearings on a civil case filed against her by her two stepdaughters.

And she said there was no truth to allegations that there was already a standing warrant for her arrest.

Reyes, a former Makati lawmaker, said there was no truth to published reports that she failed to present herself for deposition in connection with the case filed by Christine Reyes-Gatmen and her sister, former actress Rina Reyes, daughters of Reyes' deceased husband, Gregorio, from a previous marriage.

Gregorio belonged to the wealthy Reyes clan that owned the Sta. Ana race track in Makati before it was sold to a Malaysian consortium in 1997.

The lady ambassador said that she had appeared at the offices of the lead counsel of the Reyes sisters, lawyer Vicente Velasquez, on Jan. 11 to give her side. She added that she even presented all documents in her possession pertinent to her late husband's estate before Makati Regional Trial Court Judge Reynante Quilala.

The civil case stemmed from Reyes' opposition to the inheritance claims of the Reyes sisters. She claims that the Reyes girls were "illegitimate" since Gregorio's marriage to their mother had been annulled.

Reyes' lawyer, Alfonso Reyno, said she came for her deposition despite her tight schedule.

"She had previously expressed her desire to complete the said deposition on that day," Reyno said, belying reports that the ambassador had refused to attend court hearings.

The lawyer explained that Reyes learned that the deposition could not be completed on the said day due to the absence of Velasquez, the lawyer of her stepdaughters.

"Another lawyer for the Reyes sisters then moved for a continuance of the deposition the following day, Jan. 12, and every day thereafter until such time that the deposition is completed to their satisfaction," Reyno said.

But Puyat-Reyes, he said, objected to this, citing previous appointments with President Estrada and Foreign Affairs Secretary Domingo Siazon, which had been confirmed before she arrived in the country.

"This is what prompted the lawyers of the Reyes sisters to file a motion to hold the ambassador in contempt," he said.

Reyes is set to file an opposition to the motion, Reyno said.