NBI: Jimenez can set up office in jail

Embattled Manila Rep. Mark Jimenez, who is facing extradition to the United States for several federal crimes, may be allowed to set up an office at the detention center of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) once the Supreme Court finally dismisses his petition for bail.

NBI Director Reynaldo Wycoco said yesterday that since Jimenez is an incumbent congressman, he may be allowed to set up an office at the NBI detention center as long as it will not disturb other detainees.

"So long as it won’t impede the tranquillity and silence. We’ll have to study that," Wycoco told reporters.

If the NBI allows Jimenez to set up an office in his NBI detention center, he would be the second congressman to be allowed to perform his congressional duties from inside the jail.

In 1997, Zamboanga del Norte Rep. Romeo Jalosjos was allowed to set up an office inside the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City where he is serving a sentence for raping a minor. But Wycoco stressed that while the NBI will accord Jimenez the respect due to a member of Congress, the neophyte lawmaker will not be allowed to have his own personal cell.

"It’s against the policy of NBI. It’s against the law. It’s indefensible," Wycoco said, noting that there is enough room at the NBI detention center.

"For now, I can say the NBI is not crowded, though it’s not that comfortable either. You won’t dream of staying there for good," he said.

But a group of Manila residents launched yesterday a signature campaign calling for Jimenez’ immediate extradition amid another signature campaign aimed at keeping Jimenez out of jail.

"We urge all concerned Filipinos to get out and sign for justice. The stand of the ordinary people on the extradition issue of Jimenez deserved to be heard," said Lulu del Rosario, spokeswoman of the People’s Organizations for the Preservation of laws and Ethical Standards (PEOPLES).

Speaking during the weekly Kapihan sa Cypress in Quezon City, Del Rosario said her group would mobilize at the barangay level to gather one million signatures calling for the "arrest, detention and swift extradition of Jimenez."

The group also lamented the position of some congressmen to support Jimenez and keep him out of jail.

"We are dismayed at the attitude of lawmakers defending Jimenez. They refuse to imbibe the spirit of Edsa II. Justice is seeking Jimenez, a close friend of deposed President Joseph Estrada arrested and deported to the United States to face his criminal charges," Del Rosario said.

Instead of insisting that local courts grant him bail, Del Rosario said Jimenez should disprove the 47 counts of various charges.

Meanwhile, barangay chairmen of Manila’s sixth district denounced the attempt of the Ocampo family to take advantage of the current extradition controversy against Jimenez.

In a statement, Francisco Blanco, Josephat Ramos, Paula Paug and Ruben Allegrado slammed the creation of PEOPLE, which they said, was a shell organization used by the Ocampos to bring them back to power.

"The true settlement of our district is we want Rep. Jimenez to stay. This is because in his short stint as congressman there has been a boom in employment and basic services for our constituents," they said.

In contrast, they said, during the three terms of former solon Sandy Ocampo, the district earned the dubious reputation of being the poorest in the city of Manila, poorer even than Tondo.

They cited the accomplishments of Jimenez, like a feeding program, a scholarship program and a sports program. He is also working closely with the education department on a P4 million computer-learning center for elementary and high school students. For out of school youths, he has initiated courses in silk screening, beauty culture, computer programming, motor rewinding and refrigeration.

Jimenez, 54, is facing four counts of tax evasion worth $3.5 million, two counts of conspiracy as well as wire fraud, six counts of false statements and 33 counts of illegal campaign contributions to the 1996 campaign of former US President Bill Clinton.

The offenses were allegedly committed in the US between September 1994 and March 1998. A warrant for his arrest was issued in April 1999 by a South Florida district court. He fled to the Philippines in May 1998, or during the presidential elections.

The US government first asked that Jimenez be extradited during the Estrada administration and extradition proceedings were brought before a Manila regional trial court, which granted him P1 million bail.

While the matter was being taken up in court, Jimenez, Estrada’s presidential adviser for Latin American affairs, was elected congressional representative of the sixth district of Manila.

But the Supreme Court earlier this week ruled that Jimenez’ bail should be canceled.

Jimenez, however, has 15 days to seek a reconsideration of the ruling and the Manila court refused to issue a warrant for his arrest until the SC has ruled with finality on his petition. – With Rodel Clapano