Former governor’s wife arrested by NBI agents

Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation International Police (NBI-Interpol) division yesterday afternoon arrested the wife of a former Quezon province governor for alleged insurance fraud in the United States.

According to the NBI, Imelda Rodriguez, wife of former Quezon governor Eduardo Rodriguez, was arrested before noon at room 508 of the Prince Plaza Hotel along Dela Rosa street in Makati City.

The NBI said that Eduardo Rodriguez allegedly had his wife and mother-in-law insured in the United States. In 1985, Eduardo allegedly declared his mother-in-law dead and claimed some $25,000 in benefits using a fake death certificate. The NBI also said that Eduardo also declared his wife dead using a faked death certificate.

But Eduardo failed to collect on his wife’s benefits after the insurance firm discovered that she was still alive in Quezon.

This prompted the US government to seek the help of the NBI in arresting the Rodriguez couple on charges of insurance fraud.

According to the NBI, warrants for the arrest of the Rodriguez couple were issued by the court based on information provided by the US Justice Department last April 26. Last May 10, Eduardo filed for a temporary restraining order. But on June 18, the TRO was recalled by the Court of Appeals. Since then the couple went into hiding, the NBI noted.

Imelda was rushed to the Makati Medical Center following her arrest after complaining of chest pain, the NBI said. According to the NBI, bail for the couple was set at a whopping $1 million each. Agents of the NBI are still tracking down the former governor. – Mike Frialde and Delon Porcalla