I did not misbehave in court - Abalos

MANILA, Philippines - “I did not misbehave in court.”

Former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Benjamin Abalos claimed as much as he justified why he uttered the words “gago siya, pinakawalang hiya (he’s stupid, shamelss) and “God-dammed judge” to describe Pasay City Regional Trial Court Branch 112 Judge Jesus Mupas when he exposed an alleged P100-million extortion attempt.

In response to the court’s order to show cause why he should not be cited for contempt, Abalos said he was just recalling his conversation with the alleged emissary of Mupas when he expressed his disgust.

He earlier claimed that the alleged emissary of Mupas approached him to extort money in exchange for a favorable ruling.

He said he also told the two emissaries that if their offer is true, Mupas “must be crazy.”

The former Comelec chief had filed a motion for Tupas to inhibit from hearing his case.

Abalos criticized Mupas for issuing a show cause order, saying he “acted harshly and unmindful of a Supreme Court ruling that judges are reminded not to be thin skinned or sensitive.”

“Instead of perceiving personal attack, undersigned submits that the honorable presiding judge should conduct re-examination of his action that betray partiality to the accused,” he said.

Hitting the books

Meanwhile, Abalos has been busy reading books at his detention cell at the Southern Police District since his arrest a week ago.

Mandaluyong Mayor Benhur Abalos said his father reads the novels of John Grisham, John Sanford and Tom Clancy, among others.

The former Comelec chief also reads spiritual books given to him by priests.

“He has nothing to do but read. He has almost finished reading all his books,” the mayor told The STAR.

Police have allotted 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. as visiting hours for relatives and close friends of the former poll official.

A source told The STAR that the former poll chief hardly talks. He would just sit down and read books, magazines and newspapers.

“He will ask me why am I here? I will just reassure him that everything’s going to be okay. We draw strength from each other,” his wife Cora said.

Cora said she is worried about her husband’s health because he barely sleeps. She said Abalos would often wake up at 2 or 3 a.m. and would find it hard to go back to sleep.

Cora is also worried at how the sudden lack of exercise can affect the health of her 77-year-old husband. Abalos used to brisk walk around their fishpond in Zambales or play golf regularly, she said.

Meanwhile, the family is preparing to spend their first Christmas in jail. The mayor said he will write Interior and Local Government Secretary Jessie Robredo to extend the visiting hours so they can celebrate Christmas Eve with their father. – Perseus Echeminada, Aie Balagtas See