Guv forgives witness
LINGAYEN–“It will now be the word of a 17- year old boy against the four.”
This was the terse reaction given to the media by Gov. Amado Espino Jr. when sought for comment on the retraction of a 17-year old witness who previously pointed to him as one of the masterminds in the murder of former Infanta Mayor Ruperto Martinez.
The witness, after running away from Camp Crame where he was staying under the Witness Protection Program, held a press conference here and pointed to Manuel Tolentino, then mayoralty bet in Alcala; Hernani Braganza, former mayor of Alaminos City and then gubernatorial bet; Atty. Leonido “Bodie” Pulido; and Police Provincial Director Marlou Chan as the ones involved in helping him to fabricate the allegations.
Pulido and Chan have denied the teen’s ’s charges and any involvement in the case.
“Ba’t hindi na lang sila (the boy and four personalities) magpa-polygraph test?” Espino challenged.
The earlier testimony that the young witness recanted accuses Espino, 1st District Rep. Jesus “Boying” Celeste, Zambales Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane and his own father, Jaime Aquino, as those involved in the killing of Martinez in December last year.
“If I were to be asked, I think Pulido must be disbarred for not upholding to his duty as a lawyer. This is too much, my name was put to vain but I forgive the young boy and I thank him for speaking the truth,” said Espino who stressed that he is leaving the matter to his legal counsel.
Espino also expressed relief over the boy’s withdrawal of his previous testimony saying his family, especially his sick mother, would be most happy that his name has been cleared.
“The first thing I did after meeting with the boy is to see my mother in Manila who became ill after what happened. I told her about the development and although she can’t open her eyes nor speak, I felt her emotion when she tightly held my hand,” the governor said.
At the same time, Espino called for an end to “dirty politicking” during elections saying, “Sa mga pulitiko, ibalik natin sa dating maganda ang eleksyon.”.—with report from Johanne R. Macob
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