NBI fails to serve custody order to Negros mayor

BACOLOD CITY – The National Bureau of Investigation failed to deliver a Supreme Court order granting temporary custody to actress, Plinky Recto, of her nine-year-old son with estranged partner and Pulupandan town Mayor Magdaleno Peña.

The order arrived at the NBI Bacolod office on Dec. 14 and was delivered yesterday to the mayor’s residence in Pulu­pandan but were not able to implement the order because Peña was not to be found.

Peña’s lawyer, Reuben Arbolado said his client was on vacation but added that they are preparing to appeal the SC decision.

NBI Bacolod director, lawyer Mamerto Cortez denied rumors that the mayor left the country and said he has been in touch with Peña who also told him they will be filing an appeal but assured Cortez that “in case their appeal will be denied, he (Peña) will ask the courts to grant him mutual visitation rights.”

Peña’s battle with Recto turned ugly during the last elections when the actress flew down to Negros to campaign against her former lover.

Recto initially filed the custody case before the courts in Mandaluyong City but before any decision can be granted, Peña filed another case before the local courts in Bago City.

Peña was granted temporary custody of their son by the Bago courts, a decision appealed by Recto till the recent victory she got from the Supreme Court.   – Ma. Antonieta Lopez