Lift arrest warrant — De Pedro

DAVAO CITY — South Cotabato Gov. Hilario de Pedro has asked the court here to lift the warrant of arrest which was issued in connection with estafa charges a medical equipment supplier in the city has filed against him.

In a petition, De Pedro claimed he was deprived of the right to defend himself and counter charges of DMI Medical Supply that he failed to pay P217,000 for the purchase of medical supplies.

De Pedro, who lost his bid to become mayor of Koronadal, South Cotabato, was accused by a certain Gina Marie Espejo of DMI Medical Supply of issuing an unfunded check which the Land Bank of the Philippines dishonored.

Espejo said De Pedro refused to pay the amount despite repeated demands.

De Pedro, in his petition, also asked the Davao City prosecutor’s office to review the case.

The governor said he was not personally served the notice on the case, adding that a security guard, a certain Francisco Tianchon, received it.

Records showed that Tianchon received the notice on the DMI case last Nov. 16, but De Pedro apparently got hold of it only last Feb. 28.

The governor blamed Tianchon’s negligence for his failure to answer the accusations.