Margot denies receiving text about "harassment"

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City First Lady Margot Osmeña has denied receiving a call or text message from the mother of the alleged harassment victim of her son, Miguel.

In a text message sent to The Freeman, Osmeña said she did not receive any word from lawyer Sandra Smits on the allegations that Miguel threatened her daughter, Samantha Elise Diores Benitez.

Smits earlier said she tried contacting Mrs. Osmeña after learning that her daughter received threats via text messages from a number that they believe was used by Miguel.

"I never received any call or text from Atty. Smits," Mrs. Osmeña said.

She, however, refused to comment any further as it will be Mayor Tomas Osmeña who will handle the matter. The mayor and his wife are on a 10-day trip to Houston, Texas for his quarterly check up at MD Anderson Cancer Center.

The allegations against Miguel came to light when Smits went to the media to air her concern about the safety of her daughter from her first marriage.

It was alleged that the mayor's son got angry at Benitez, who is the best friend of his girlfriend for failing to stop the latter from drinking heavily at a bar near a big university.

Miguel reportedly fetched his girlfriend, Ana Bea Gabriela Beatriz Villegas, 20, last Saturday night from a bar where she went drinking with friends including Benitez.

Villegas was brought to the hospital late that night when she kept on vomiting.

Miguel allegedly got irked at Benitez for also leaving Villegas behind at the bar.

Benitez said that she had to leave the place to console a friend, who was berated by a brother, who found them drinking.

Benitez also alleged that she was told by Miguel that her camera, which was left in the bag of Villegas, would be returned to her by the mayor's son personally.

But, when she got the camera back at dawn last Monday it was hung on the gate of their residence at Paradise Village and had a bullet hole in it.

Benitez also said that a text message containing a threat was sent to her from a phone, whose number is not registered in her address book. She suspects it came from the mayor's son.

Miguel left with his parents last Monday night for the United States.

Mayor Osmeña said that his son does not pick fights with anybody particularly women, but added that he would be willing to resign if the allegations are found true.

Smits said that they have reported the incident to the Mabolo Police, but the duty officer reportedly was reluctant to put it in the blotter.

Cebu City Police Office Director Patrocinio Comendador said yesterday that the family of Benitez has already been furnished a copy of the spot report late Tuesday afternoon.

Comendador said he learned of the incident the other morning after Chief Insp. Claudio Casiban, chief of Mabolo Police Station, asked his advice how to handle such high-profile case. — Ferliza Contratista and Niña Sumacot/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)