Jail official denies giving VIP treatment to pyramid scam suspect

The chief of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Makati City said yesterday the controversial pictures showing pyramiding scam suspect Rosario Baladjay being accorded special treatment was taken five months ago, before he assumed his post.

Police Superintendent Edgar Bolcio of BJMP-Makati City denied reports that his office provided special privileges to the 37-year-old Baladjay when they allegedly allowed her to celebrate her birthday and entertain guests inside the jail premises last month.

Bolcio insisted the reports were false. "We checked her record from our files and learned that her birthday falls on Jan. 17 and not February as some newspapers claimed. The picture was actually taken on Sept. 11 last year to commemorate the birthday of former President Ferdinand Marcos. Baladjay and some 20 other inmates, who were wearing red T-shirts, are Marcos loyalists."

He stressed that the picture was taken long before he assumed office. He was only installed as head of the Makati BJMP last Dec. 13, replacing Superintendent Pepe Quinones, who was sacked after a suspected Chinese drug lord escaped from the facility.

"I am a lawyer and a licensed criminologist. Why would I sacrifice my career. I even sleep in the jail to ensure that there would be no jailbreaks."

He challenged his accusers to show proof that he granted Baladjay special treatment.

"They can come to our office day or night. They can file charges against me if they can produce any evidence," he said.

He also denied allegations that the pyramid scam queen has her own bathroom and beauty parlor. "That is impossible, everyone gets equal treatment here. Besides we only have limited space. We can only accommodate 500 inmates, but there are already 1,018 people."— Evelyn Macairan