Before inhibition is final: Ecleo case off the court calendar

CEBU, Philippines - Even before his inhibition from the parricide case of Ruben Ecleo Jr. becomes final, Judge Soliver Peras of Regional Trial Court Branch 10 no longer included the case in his list of cases scheduled for hearing yesterday.

The case was originally scheduled for hearing yesterday prior to Peras’ inhibition last Monday. In fact, the defense was supposed to present its second to the last witness yesterday, but no hearing occurred because the case was not in the calendar.

Ecleo, supreme master of the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association, is facing charges for allegedly killing his wife Alona almost 10 years ago.

Defense lawyer Orlando Salatandre said he appeared in court yesterday despite the inhibition order because he was hoping that the case would still be heard.

Salatandre spoke with Peras yesterday, but he did not verbally manifest for Peras to reconsider his decision. He said he will put his manifestation in writing.

He said the problem is not between the parties of the case but between the court and the media.

In fact, both the defense and the prosecution panels agreed to seek reconsideration on Peras inhibition before the order will become final by the second week of November.

Salatandre said the ground cited by Peras – that is, criticisms from the media - is “unique.”

Meanwhile, Salatandre dispelled rumors that it is part of the game plan of the defense to have all the judges in Cebu inhibit from the case to oblige the Supreme Court to transfer the trial to another venue.

Years ago, the defense moved to transfer the case to Manila, citing the alleged “extreme hostility” of the Cebuano community. The first motion to transfer was filed in 2002 shortly before the trial began and the second came in 2004 after the murder of private prosecutor Arbet Santa Ana Yongco. However, the Supreme Court denied both motions.

Salatandre said they have learned to “love” Cebu and have abandoned any plan to transfer the trial. He said there is no use to transfer the trial because the defense is already about to conclude its presentation of witnesses.

He said they have found Peras to be “fair,” so far, during the initial hearings and conferences he presided and that it is unfortunate for the judge to inhibit from the case because of media criticisms.

Following Peras inhibition, only eight more judges may handle the case, including Judges Estela Alma Cingco, Gilbert Moises, Raphael Yrastorza, Silvestre Maamo, Sylva Paderanga, Gabriel Ingles, Douglas Marigomen and Simeon Dumdum.

Peras was the seventh judge to inhibit from the celebrated case. Prior to him were Judges Galicano Arriesgado, Olegario Sarmiento, Generosa Labra, Anacleto Caminade, Ireneo Lee-Gako, and Geraldine Faith Econg. — Fred P. Languido/JMO   (FREEMAN NEWS)