Senator urges Jules to reveal government ‘formula’

A senator wants Congress to ask Negros Occidental Rep. Julio Ledesma IV to reveal details of a "tried and tested formula" that helped secure the release of his children from kidnappers.

Sen. Ralph Recto said yesterday there was a need to review the country’s "no ransom policy" in the wake of speculations that Ledesma paid money for the release of his children, Julio Carlos, 5, and Cristina, 10.

But even before lawmakers could grill the congressman, lawmakers are of the opinion that the government’s "tried and tested" or "TnT" formula in kidnap-for-ransom cases involves payment of ransom.

When asked to comment on what the TnT system was all about, Recto replied pointblank: "It’s all about ransom payment."

Minority Leader Carlos Padilla (LDP, Nueva Vizcaya), on the other hand, told reporters. "They refuse to reveal the formula but to me, it only means one thing: pay ransom."

The TnT system was cited by Ledesma shortly after his two children gained their freedom from their kidnappers on Tuesday morning in Makati City.

However, he refused to reveal any details. He also did not categorically dismiss speculations that he paid ransom.

Recto said Congress would ask the executive department to explain the so-called "tried and tested formula" that secured the children’s safe release after their abduction last Sept. 13.

"We have to find out what is the formula all about, not because we want to relive the agony of the victims, but to review the government’s no-ransom policy in general," Recto said.

He said because of the abduction of the Ledesma children, "there is now a growing paranoia among legislators and their families (regarding their safety)."

He revealed that his wife, actress-turned-Batangas town Mayor Vilma Santos, has pleaded to him to get additional bodyguards for their son, Ryan Christian.

Padilla, meanwhile, said unless the TnT formula is revealed, the only logical conclusion that the public can make from the quick solution of the Ledesma children’s kidnapping case is that money changed hands. – Sammy Santos, Jess Diaz