San Juan solon arrested for House slapping incident

For having slapped an official of the House of Representatives, a congressman was himself slapped yesterday with criminal charges of grave slander by deed and ordered arrested by a Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court.

Police arrested San Juan Rep. Jose Mari Gonzalez yesterday afternoon for slapping retired Gen. Bayani Fabic, sergeant-at-arms of the House of Representatives, shortly after the House impeached then President Joseph Estrada on the night of Nov. 13 last year.

MTC Presiding Judge Cesar Untalan of Branch 39 issued the warrant of arrest against Gonzalez, which was personally transmitted by Fabic to policemen who effected the arrest.

Police said Gonzalez did not resist arrest when policemen picked him at his residence on No. 191 C. M. Recto st., Barangay Addition Hills, San Juan at about 3:30 p.m.

"He was somewhat confused but was very cooperative when a warrant for his arrest was presented to him," said Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) director, Chief Superintendent Nestorio Gualberto.

Gonzalez was taken to the CIDG headquarters at Camp Crame where he was booked, underwent medical check-up and had his mug shots taken.

The court allowed Gonzalez temporary freedom after he posted a P6,000 bail bond before the sala of San Juan Judge Leodegario Guilitan.

The charges stemmed from a slapping incident that occurred at around 7 p.m. of Nov. 13 during a break that was called after then Speaker Manny Villar read the articles of impeachment against Estrada.

The gallery audience was then wildly cheering the first presidential impeachment in history while anti-Estrada legislators were congratulating each other in front of numerous television cameras.

In his complaint, Fabic claimed he approached Camarines Norte Rep. Arnulfo Fuentebella and other pro-Estrada lawmakers to try to restore order in the House when Gonzalez slapped him, purportedly because he failed to restrain the cheering and jeering crowd.

The incident was caught by television cameras and was aired repeatedly nationwide.

Gonzalez later publicly apologized to Fabic and claimed he was only carried away by his emotion.

Fabic, 67, accepted the apology but insisted on pursuing criminal charges against Gonzalez who ran but lost re-election for San Juan’s sole congressional seat.

In a two-page resolution, QC assistant prosecutor Ronald Ancheta noted "the slapping incident was done in the Congress’ session hall, in front of other members of the House, a full gallery and a significant number of Filipinos watching the proceedings on television regarding the deliberation on an issue of national concern."

"The incident was made with deliberate intent to ridicule, insult and shame me... which tarnished the integrity, honor and reputation of the entire House of Representatives," Fabic said.

Aside from Fabic’s charges, police are also preparing to file separate charges against Gonzalez in connection with the arrest of 68 armed men who were allegedly employed by Gonzalez for an undetermined purpose on the eve recent local and congressional elections. – With Jaime Laude, Non Alquitran