Court issues hold departure order against Ruben Ecleo

CEBU, Philippines - Regional Trial Court Branch 10 Judge Soliver Peras has issued a hold departure order against Dinagat Rep. Ruben Ecleo Jr., the prime suspect in the killing of his wife nine years ago.

Peras’ order, dated March 8, 2011, also directed Ecleo to undergo a coronary bypass operation within two months from notice otherwise his bail will be cancelled.

The order, however, may be lifted if Ecleo can show proof that his travel abroad is of outmost importance in relation to his health.

Ecleo, supreme leader of the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association, failed to appear during the hearing for his parricide case yesterday.

On February 23, Peras warned Ecleo to appear in yesterday’s hearing otherwise a warrant for his arrest will be issued.

On March 1, 2004, the court allowed Ecleo to post a P1 million bail due to his heart ailment. His doctor had said he is a “walking time bomb” with his heart ready to explode anytime.

But in its motion to cancel Ecleo’s bail, the prosecution said Ecleo was healthy enough to run for congressman. It alleged that Ecleo even performed in a rock concert in Manila.

The defense, however, contended that playing in a concert is not dangerous to one’s health and that such activity is even beneficial to a sick person like Ecleo.

It added that when Ecleo ran for congressman, he did not campaign much because his opponent was not considered a threat.

In yesterday’s hearing, Ecleo’s legal counsel, Orlando Salatandre, told the court that his client failed to appear due to the legal problem he is facing before the Sandiganbayan.

Ecleo is the prime suspect in the killing of his wife, Alona, on January 5, 2002 at their residence in Forest Hills, Guadalupe, Cebu City.

He has been convicted of graft on October 13, 2006 by the Sandiganbayan, which had already issued a warrant for his arrest. —/LPM (FREEMAN)