Ex-governor flies to US on June 4

A Manila judge has set for June 4 the departure of former Quezon province Gov. Eduardo Rodriguez for his voluntary extradition to the US to face charges of insurance fraud.

Judge Eduardo Peralta Jr. of Regional Trial Court Branch 17 made the order after State Prosecutor Claro Flores informed the court that US Marshals that would fetch and escort Rodriguez to the US, will be arriving on June 2.

"The court was informed by state counsel of the arrival of the US Marshals on June 2 and the scheduled voluntary departure of Rodriguez on June 4," said Peralta in a two-page order dated May 30.

By agreement of both parties, Peralta also set a hearing on June 3 at 8 a.m. to monitor the voluntary departure of Rodriguez, who faces extradition along with his wife Imelda for alleged insurance fraud.

An expired passport delayed the supposed departure of Rodriguez for the US last May 29, according to National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Reynaldo Wycoco.

After Rodriguez surrendered on May 27, Peralta ordered that NBI agents must assume legal custody of former Quezon province governor Rodriguez and not under the custody of his lawyer Sonny Pulgar as earlier reported.

Rodriguez remains restricted at the NBI-Security Management Division (SMD) on Taft Avenue, Manila while waiting for his extradition, according to NBI-Interpol chief Ricardo Diaz.

"The former governor will not be allowed to go outside the NBI premises. If he needs to attend court hearings, NBI-Security Management Division members will escort him," Diaz said. – Cecille Suerte Felipe