Pasay court to tackle Abalos petition for bail

MANILA, Philippines - Former elections chairman Benjamin Abalos’ motion for bail and house arrest will be heard at the Pasay City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 112 tomorrow. 

Judge Jesus Mupas is expected to hear the arguments of the defense and prosecution during the hearing.

“We will argue before the court that our client is not a flight risk,” defense lead counsel Brigido Dulay told The STAR.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sixto Brillantes said they will oppose the motions of Abalos.

Last Thursday the Comelec filed electoral sabotage charges against Abalos and former North Cotabato provincial election supervisor Yogie Martirizar, and former Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) officer Capt. Peter Reyes.

Abalos surrendered to the Pasay City court late Tuesday afternoon.

The court issued arrest warrants against Martirizar and Reyes but deferred that of Abalos after his lawyers filed an urgent motion for judicial determination of probable cause.

The court dismissed the motion and issued an arrest warrant early Tuesday morning.

Abalos was taken into police custody Tuesday after he surrendered to the Pasay City court.

He is now detained at the Southern Police District (SPD) headquarters in Taguig.

Visiting hours

Mandaluyong Mayor Benhur Abalos will ask the Pasay City court to extend his father’s allotted visiting hours on Christmas Eve to allow their family to celebrate noche buena together.

Police have allotted 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. as visiting hours for relatives and friends of Abalos at his place of detention at the SPD headquarters.

Abalos is also not allowed to use cellular phones or computer.

Abalos’ wife Corazon said her husband was not able to sleep well on his first night in detention.

“He’s okay naman,” she said. “He slept for a while and thought it was morning but it was only 3 a.m.”

She visited Abalos yesterday morning together with their youngest daughter Joy.

They brought Abalos his favorite corned beef for breakfast. Joy was crying when she went down from her father’s detention room.

Abalos’ brother Arsenio said the former poll chief had a good aura and is in “good shape.”

His elder brother had no qualms about what has happened, he added.

He is happy with the humane treatment given to the 77-year-old Abalos, Arsenio said.

Abalos’ wife said her husband is strong with God’s grace.

“Strong willed siya eh,” she said. “I admire him, he doesn’t just let anything get him down. He has to be good and focused.” 

Police doctor Jackilyn Honrado said Abalos underwent a medical checkup.

His blood pressure was 120/80, she added.

Meanwhile, Abalos’ wife said she will leave to God all of her husband’s accusers.

“Alam nila deep in their hearts na walang ginagawang masama si chairman, bahala na Dios sa inyo, ayokong sabihin na makonsensya sana kayong lahat. (They know deep in their hearts that the chairman did nothing wrong. Just leave it to God, I don’t want to say that their conscience should bother them.)”  –With Aie Balagtas See