Solon wants MJ ‘traded’ for Atong, Ricaforte

The government was urged yesterday to expedite the extradition process against Manila Rep. Mario Batacan Crespo, better known as Mark Jimenez, so it can trade the lawmaker for Charlie "Atong" Ang and Yolanda Ricaforte.

"Why don’t we trade MJ for Ang and Ricaforte?" asked a Lakas congressman who did not want to be identified for fear of incurring a colleague’s ire.

He said the United States government will respond positively to the government’s desire for Ang and Ricaforte to be returned to Manila if local authorities speed up the extradition process against Jimenez.

The neophyte Manila lawmaker is being sought by the US on tax fraud, illegal campaign contribution and related charges.

The government wants Ang and Ricaforte, who are friends of ousted President Joseph Estrada, returned to Manila. The two are facing charges for their alleged involvement in the collection of tax kickbacks and jueteng money supposedly intended for Estrada.

Another Lakas congressman, Prospero Pichay Jr. of Surigao del Sur, is opposed to the Jimenez-for-Ang-Ricaforte swap proposal.

"Their cases are different. MJ is facing tax and illegal campaign contribution charges, while Ang and Ricaforte have been implicated in a plunder case," he said.

He said the government should let the extradition process take its normal course.

Pichay also wondered whether the Department of Justice is serious in seeking the return of Ang and Ricaforte.

Quoting last week’s statement of an unnamed Department of Foreign Affairs official, he said there has been no request from the justice department for the extradition of two Estrada friends.

"If we are really serious in having them returned, then the first thing to do is send that request to the US government," he said. – Jess Diaz