MJ’s children file guardianship petition

The children of businessman and former Manila representative Mario Batacan Crespo, a.k.a. Mark Jimenez, have filed with the Pasig City Regional Trial Court a petition for guardianship over their father.

The petitioners, Virgilio Amadeo Pansacola Crespo and Maria Carolina Castaneda Crespo-Fah, cited as ground for their petition the “unsound mind” of their father, further describing him as “violent and a danger to family members, to others and to himself.”

Virgilio is one of the sons of Jimenez with his legal wife, Ma. Aleli Pansacola, while Maria Carolina is Jimenez’s daughter with Carol Castañeda.

In a statement, the children of Jimenez said they believe it is time for them to take action to prevent further injury.

The petitioners said this is not the first time that their father needed mental care, as he had been in a mental ward before. They claim that their father’s hallucinations, delusions of conspiracies against him, his violence, anger and hatred have resulted in his kidnapping a family member, Carol, last May.

It was stated in the petition that Jimenez’s family sought the opinion of a psychiatrist and an official of the National Center for Mental Health. Based on interviews with family members, it appeared that Jimenez may be suffering from some form of mental disorder and is thus recommended to undergo further evaluation and possible treatment, the petition said.

The petitioners nominated Aleli Pansacola to be immediately appointed and issued letters of guardianship over Jimenez and his estate upon the filing of the petition and before hearings are conducted.

Jimenez’s children likewise apologized to the people whom their father have accused, hurt, maligned, attacked and intimidated.

They added that they expect a negative reaction from Jimenez as he might perceive it as another conspiracy to control his wealth and resources, but they promised not to waver in their commitment to bring back their father’s normal and peaceful life.