Saguisag injured, wife killed in Makati mishap

Former senator Rene Saguisag and two others were seriously injured while Saguisag’s wife, former social welfare secretary Dulce Quintans-Saguisag, died after their van was rammed by a speeding dump truck at an intersection in Makati City early yesterday morning.

Mrs. Saguisag, 64, who served as secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development under former President Joseph Estrada, died on the way to the Ospital ng Makati of head and body injuries.

Former senator Saguisag, his driver Felipe Calvario, 31, and another companion, dance instructor Imelda Obong, are now being treated at the Makati Medical Center (MMC).

Among the first to visit Saguisag at the Intensive Care Unit of the MMC was former President Corazon Aquino, for whom Saguisag once served as spokesman.

Mrs. Aquino told The STAR that at the time of her morning visit, Saguisag was unconscious and still unaware that his wife had died.

“I laid on his arm the rosary that the late Sister Lucia of Fatima had given to me,” she said, and expressed hope that it would sustain him.

The Saguisags were on board their white Toyota Hi-Ace Grandia, with license plate ZFV-674, which was crossing the intersection of Arnaiz street (formerly Pasay Road) and Osmeña Highway (formerly South Superhighway) when their vehicle was hit at around 2 a.m. by an Isuzu dump truck with license plate GBF-417 driven by Manuel Geronimo.

Geronimo, who came from Laguna and was on his way to Bulacan when the accident took place, was arrested by police at the site.

Police said the four victims were on their way home to No. 4043 Bigasan street in Palanan, Makati, after attending a ballroom dancing session at Byke’s Cafe in Makati City.

Investigators said the left portion of the Toyota van, where Mrs. Saguisag was seated, was totally wrecked. She was seated behind the driver, near the point of impact.

The former senator was seated beside his wife, a breast cancer survivor, while the dance instructor was seated beside the driver.

Truck driver Geronimo claimed that he had right of way as the green light was on at the intersection when he rammed the van of the Saguisags.

Witnesses, however, disputed Geronimo’s claims and said the Toyota van had the green light and the truck beat the red light.

Dinner with Erap

Saguisag had earlier met former President Estrada and discussed the motion they would file before the Sandiganbayan to quash the forfeiture order on the former president’s assets.

The former senator also had dinner with Estrada before he proceeded to the ballroom dance session.

Estrada called for an emergency meeting with his other lawyers after Saguisag’s accident.

Saguisag was supposed to file yesterday at the anti-graft court a “Motion to Quash the Writ of Execution to Forfeit” Estrada’s assets cited in the Sandiganbayan’s decision of the plunder conviction, but this was postponed due to the accident.

Angel Gonong, a member of Estrada’s media relations staff, said Saguisag was scheduled to go to the Sandiganbayan Special Division to file the motion.

“He was supposed to go to the Sandiganbayan to file our motion,” Gonong said.

Gonong said Estrada was roused from sleep by a telephone call from Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay shortly after the accident.

Binay and Senate President Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada were among the opposition leaders who went to the MMC hospital after learning about the accident.

Gonong said the elder Estrada was shocked when he heard the news.

He said Estrada also refused to be interviewed or come out with a press statement, and was quoted as saying: “I don’t know what to say.” Estrada was quiet for sometime, Gonong said. 

But when Estrada began to talk, he said: “Pambihira naman, kung kailan nakalaya na ako saka pa nangyari ‘yan sa kanya.” (What irony, now that I’m free this tragedy happens to him).

Estrada also cited Saguisag’s dedication and difficulty in handling his plunder case.

Gonong said Estrada will visit Saguisag at the MMC once the lawyer is transferred from the intensive care unit of the hospital.

Makati City Prosecutor Feliciano Aspi said the police have filed charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and multiple serious physical injuries against Geronimo.

Taxi driver Jeofrey Olmoguez will serve as the principal witness against Geronimo.

Olmoguez said he was following the Saguisags’ van along Arnaiz Street when the accident took place. He said the Saguisags’ lane had the green light.

He said the Saguisags’ van was crossing Osmeña Highway when the dump truck rammed the vehicle.

Superintendent Gilbert Cruz, Southern Police District traffic chief, said the dump truck was registered to Melchor Gerona of Tumana in Sta. Maria, Bulacan.

Doctors optimistic on Rene

MMC doctors have expressed optimism that Saguisag will recover from the injuries he sustained though he will have to be placed under tight observation.

Dr. Eric Nubla said the former senator suffered head and chest injuries and also sustained seven fractured ribs.

Doctors said Saguisag is responding “favorably” to treatment and is more awake compared to his earlier status as semi-conscious.

Saguisag was elected senator in 1987 and eventually returned to private law practice in 1992, handling controversial clients that included former President Estrada who was charged with plunder after being ousted in 2001.

The former senator’s son Rebo who is also a lawyer, said that he was saddened by the tragedy because he is going to get married on Dec. 22 and his mother now cannot attend his wedding. Former presidents Aquino and Estrada will be the principal sponsors.

Condolences pour in

Meanwhile, President Arroyo extended her condolences to the Saguisag family over the unexpected death of Mrs. Saguisag.

In a statement issued by Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye, the President expressed sadness over the death of Mrs. Saguisag and the serious injuries of the former senator.

“It’s very sad news. Let’s pray for the swift recovery of the former senator and the peaceful rest of his wife, Dulce,” the President said.

Bunye said the President will visit the wake of Mrs. Saguisag once the arrangements have been finalized by the family.

Bunye noted that Mrs. Saguisag served as DSWD secretary and was very active in promoting breast cancer awareness.

Officials and employees of the DSWD described the former secretary as “an inspiration” to the agency.

Mrs. Saguisag was an executive officer of Mondragon Industries when she was appointed DSWD secretary by then President Estrada.

She was also secretary general of the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines before she died. Her youngest daughter Kaisa is a gymnast.

In a telephone interview, Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral described Mrs. Saguisag as a very nice person and an effective executive.

Cabral said they are saddened by the sudden death of Dulce whom she also described as  “concerned with the welfare of the poor people and an inspiration to social workers.”

Mrs. Saguisag’s body was brought to Arlington Funeral Homes in Quezon City.

Senate President Manuel Villar Jr. and several senators extended their condolences to the Saguisags and expressed concern for the injured former senator.  

“It is with a heavy heart that we face this trying news. We are gravely pained by this accident. We share in the grief of former Sen. Rene Saguisag over Dulce’s demise and assure him of our steady support,” Villar said.

Senate Majority Leader Francis Pangilinan and Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. expressed disappointment and disbelief over the mishap.

“The human rights community and his colleagues from the Senate pray for the full recovery of former Sen. Rene Saguisag and convey their condolences on the death of his wife, Dulce,” Pimentel said.

Pangilinan and Pimentel called on traffic authorities as well as concerned local government units to implement traffic rules strictly.

“Everyday in the streets of Metro Manila, an average of 25 vehicular accidents take place, much like the one that happened early this morning involving former senator Rene Saguisag and his wife, former DSWD secretary Dulce Saguisag, who instantly died in the mishap,” Pangilinan said. – With Marvin Sy, Helen Flores, Christina Mendez, Sandy Araneta, Eva Visperas, Perseus Echeminada