Navotas worker accuses wife of bigamy

MANILA, Philippines - A Navotas City government employee accused his estranged wife of bigamy and filed charges that led to her arrest at her workplace in Pasay City, police said yesterday.

Senior Police Officer 2 Donaldo Britana, chief of the Valenzuela police warrant and subpoena section, said the complaint was lodged by Jacinto Chua, 51, of the city social welfare and development office.

Britana said Leticia Chua, 41, was arrested on the strength of a warrant issued by Guagua, Pampanga Regional Trial Court Judge Amor Dimatactac-Romero.

Leticia said she was surprised by the charges. “It was no secret to him that I was (previously) married when we got married. I would not have done it if he did not lure me into marrying him,” she said.

She said they were married in Pampanga in January 2004 while her previous husband, who died in December that year, was still alive. The marriage produced a daughter.

She said they were separated in July 2011 when he booted her out of their house. The warrant was issued by the court after Leticia allegedly failed to attend the hearings.

Leticia said Jacinto is reportedly living with another woman.