Margot Osmeña vs. Rodriguez Case: Lawyer leaves defendant, cites conflict with Alvin G

The lawyer of Jonah John Rodriguez, who Cebu City's first lady Margot Osmeña sued for allegedly sending her lewd messages through her mobile phone, has decided yesterday to withdraw from defending his client.

Lawyer Kit Enriquez, explaining his decision, cited his conflict with former mayor, Alvin Garcia, on how to handle the grave threat case against Rodriguez, now pending at the Municipal Trial Court in Cities.

In his two-page motion, Enriquez told MTCC judge Oscar Andrino that he was withdrawing as Rodriguez counsel because "substantial differences exist between them in the manner of handling the case."

When asked to elaborate his stand, Enriquez told The Freeman he would not give further comment because "it is already confidential."

Rodriguez has been a known supporter of Garcia and, when informed that the Enriquez' motion was granted, he told the court that he is hiring the services of Lelani Resoor for the next hearing scheduled on February 20.

However before leaving the court, Enriquez informed Judge Adrino about Rodriguez' intention to enter into an amicable settlement with Mrs. Osmeña.

In a later interview, Rodriguez admitted he was already tired of the case. "Mora'g gikapuyan na ko sigi og balik-balik dinhi sa korte," he told reporters.

Mrs. Osmeña's counsels Chito Teleron and Sesinio Andales said they would inform their client about the offer of Rodriguez for an amicable settlement.

The mayor's wife filed charges against Rodriguez after the National Bureau of Investigation traced that the mobile number 0917-3228428, used in sending lewd and threatening messages to her phone, was registered under the name Ma. Lorelie Castro-Rama, and its actual user was Rodriguez himself.

One of the text messages have labeled Mrs. Osmeña as "an addict and prostitute."

Mrs. Osmeña, citing a copy of the phone bills of the sender, identified that there were some calls made to the mobile phone of Alvin's wife, Ninette, and to the landlines of Alvin's residence and that of the Kugi Uswag Sugbu, the political group of Alvin. - Rene U. Borromeo