Governor faces rape charge

A complaint for attempted rape has been filed against the governor of Surigao del Norte in the Regional Trial Court of Pasay City.

Twenty-seven-year-old Nace Sue Buan, an employee of the provincial government of Surigao del Norte, filed the complaint against Gov. Francisco Matugas last May 10 for attempting to rape her sometime between July 22 and 28, 1995.

In a preliminary hearing before City Prosecutor Elmer Mitra yesterday, the respondent was represented by his lawyer Cecil Fojas who was directed to obtain a copy of the complaint affidavit of the complainant. Matugas was said to be out of Metro Manila yesterday.

According to the complaint of Buan, she was asked to accompany Matugas to Manila from July 22 to 28, 1995 on official business. She was made to believe her trip to Manila was some kind of reward for her good performance during the Boy Scout Jamboree in Surigao City on May or June 1995.

Buan recalled that she was asked to have lunch with the governor at the Heritage Hotel at the corner of EDSA extension and Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City.

Instead of proceeding to the dining area, Buan said she was asked by the governor to accompany him to his hotel room to pick up some important documents. Upon entering the room, Buan said she went to the comfort room to relieve herself.

When she came out, the governor also entered the comfort room and came out soon after with his shirt off. Without warning, the governor grabbed her shoulders and tried to kiss her. However, a struggle ensued and Buan was able to push the governor away from her.

Sensing that Matugas was about to make another attempt at her, she immediately used her elbow to hit him on his chest which caused him to lose his balance.

Buan said she threatened to kick the governor if he made another attempt on her and went out of the room towards the elevator. While waiting for the lift, the governor approached her and apologized for the incident, claiming that he was only "carried (away) by his emotions." She recalled that Matugas told her not to report the incident to her mother as it would cause embarrassment to him as well as to her family.

In a separate affidavit, Mrs. Suzette Penaranda claimed that she decided to allow her daughter to finally come out in the open because of recent events which involved Matugas.

Penaranda, who works for Rep. Constantino Navarro Jr. of the 1st district of Surigao del Norte, said Matugas was involved in the May 1, attack by the supporters of former President Joseph Estrada on Malacañang.

"I believe that he can now be properly investigated and that he has no more influence with our judicial officers. I also know his term is about to end and that he should face up to the evil deed that he committed five years ago against my daughter," she said.

Buan’s mother also said when she reported the incident to Rep. Navarro, she was advised to "think seriously about the adverse consequences of filing a rape complaint against an incumbent and powerful governor."

In her complaint, Buan demanded a compensation of at least five million from Matugas for the "emotional shock, pain, anxiety and mental anguish and sufferings" brought about by the incident.