Ex-governor gives up

Former Quezon province Gov. Eduardo Rodriguez, wanted in the US for insurance fraud, finally surrendered yesterday to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), saying he is willing "to go to the US to face my accusers and clear my name for the sake of my father."

His wife Imelda, who also faces extradition failed to show up because of a lingering health problem. "She is ill because she cannot not take this situation which we are in right now."

The ex-governor said he would have surrendered earlier if it were not for the steep $2-million bail bond. He pointed out that the bail bond on other Filipinos facing more serious charges in the US are much lower than the one imposed on him.

Rodriguez was presented to members of the media yesterday by NBI Director Reynaldo Wycoco and NBI International Police (Interpol) Division chief Ricardo Diaz.

The NBI is the only government agency that handles extradition cases.

"With his surrender and voluntary extradition, we are putting a close to the extradition case versus Gov. Rodriguez," Wycoco said.

The NBI chief noted that Rodriguez would depart for the US "before noon of May 29" as stated in the three-page order of Manila Judge Eduardo Peralta of Regional Trial Court Branch 17, which handled the extradition case.

Peralta also ruled that prior to his departure, Rodriguez would be under the custody of his lawyer Sonny Pulgar, meaning he would not have to be placed in a NBI detention cell.

The US government requested for the apprehension and extradition of Rodriguez and his wife in connection with the insurance fraud in California amounting to $150,000.

Rodriguez allegedly declared his wife and her mother Gloria Gener dead in an accident in Antipolo in 1985 and collected death benefits. The US-based insurance firm learned the truth and filed charges against the couple, leading to their extradition.

Prior to his meeting with Wycoco and Diaz, Rodriguez, accompanied by Pulgar and Quezon Rep. Aleta Suarez (third district) attended the hearing for their motions for voluntary extradition, restoration of bail bond and cancellation of the warrant of arrest against them.

With the surrender and pending voluntary extradition, Pulgar explained that all the manifestations in the motion have been considered "moot and academic."

From the sala of Peralta, NBI Interpol agents, headed by executive officer Jun de Castro, escorted Rodriguez to the NBI headquarters on Taft Avenue in Manila.

However, it took more than two hours for De Castro’s team to get to the NBI from the RTC housed at the Manila City Hall because many thoroughfares in the country’s capital were submerged in floodwater brought about by tropical storm Chedeng.

Wycoco expressed confidence that the Department of Justice (DOJ) and US marshals would be able to complete the travel documents before noon of May 29.

He said a US marshal would be sent to the country to fetch Rodriguez.

Singing a different tune

During yesterday’s presentation, Rodriguez thanked the NBI agents for treating him well.

"The DOJ tried to help me," Rodriguez said, which is in the contrast with his earlier manifestation in court.

In a manifestation filed by their lawyer Efren Dizon, the couple assailed the government, particularly the DOJ and Department of Foreign Affairs for the apparent injustice toward them.

"The DOJ and the DFA have become tools of injustice and servant of foreign interest to state the very least," the four-page motion stated. "The DOJ should not be the one to determine the extradition as DOJ acted as prosecutor, counsel and representative of the US rolled into one."

The Rodriguez couple said there was no sufficient and solid evidence to convict them in the US since material allegations are mere hearsay and uncorroborated, highly questionable if not fabricated.

He also asked the US government to be fair.

"I don’t want to embarrass our government. I know our government , under the extradition treaty, it must locate any citizen charged so he can face prosecution," Rodriguez said. "I just hope they’ll do the same."

The former Quezon governor, however, said he only asks that the $2-million bail bond imposed on them be lowered to "a more considerable amount."

"Congressman Jimenez faced different criminal charges but his bail bond was only $500,000. Even O.J. Simpson, who was charged with murder, had posted a bond of $500,000. How come my wife and I, charged with insurance fraud of $150,000, have to shell out $2 million?" Rodriguez asked.