Judge threatens Ecleo's bail

CEBU, Philippines - Dinagat Rep. Ruben Ecleo Jr., the prime suspect in the murder of his wife Alona Bacolod, through his legal counsel was given five days from yesterday to show cause why his bail should not be cancelled and why a warrant of arrest should not be issued against him after he failed to show up in court.

The leader of the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association cult was supposed to be cross-examined by the prosecution in yesterday’s hearing but failed to show because of a “big legal problem” said his lawyer Orlando Salatandre Jr..

Ecleo was ordered arrested by the Sandiganbayan 1st Division, who issued a new warrant of arrest after the High Tribunal affirmed last November the anti-graft court’s decision convicting the former San Jose Mayor in Surigao del Norte for graft charges.

Salatandre asked the court for compassion.

Ecleo is accused of killing Alona last January 5, 2002, an accusation he strongly denied when he was presented in court last year.

In yesterday’s hearing, RTC Branch 10 Judge Soliver Peras ordered that Ecleo must show reasonable proof for his non-appearance in court, otherwise his P1-million bail will be cancelled and a warrant of arrest will be served to compel him to testify.

Peras said he will decide on the prosecution’s motion for cancellation of Ecleo’s bail within the month.

On March 1, 2004, Judge Generosa Labra of RTC Branch 23 granted bail to Ecleo after being informed about his critical heart condition.

Also yesterday the defense presented another witness named Alberto Alforque, an official of PBMA-Nunuk Chapter in Talisay City.

Alforque said he was at the house of Ecleo in Guadalupe, Cebu City, on January 5, 2002 at around 9 p.m. until 11:45 p.m. and heard no commotion in the house, contrary to the claim made earlier by Alona’s brother Josebil.

Ecleo, in his previous testimony, believes that his wife is still alive up to now but missing. — (FREEMAN)