‘I don’t want her to go to jail’

Paranaque Mayor Joey Marquez said he does not want his estranged wife, actress Alma Moreno, to go to jail.

This was why, he told reporters Tuesday, he chose to have their marriage annulled than file adultery charges against her.

Trial began two weeks ago, Marquez said, and the prosecution has started to present their evidence before Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Helen Ricafort.

Marquez has yet to attend a hearing, but said he would most probably be called to the witness stand next week.

Marquez said that aside from videotapes of his wife and her alleged boyfriend, Julian Say, his lawyers would present as evidence statements of witnesses, plane tickets, and hotel receipts.

Marquez added that the results of his psychiatrict test is confidential and would be disclosed only in court.

"I hope I passed it. I’m sure I passed it," he said. The mayor, who still regularly appears on television as a comedian, said he had three meetings with the psychiatrist as part of the psychological test.

Marquez had volunteered to take a psychological test.

He also revealed that Moreno has refused to undergo the same test.

"It’s sad because Ness did not undergo a psychiatrict test. That’s her prerogative but by doing that, she waived her right to defend herself," Marquez said.

Marquez and Moreno were married for 10 years and has four children.

He filed for the annulment of their marriage last year, accusing his wife of psychological incapacity. Moreno allegedly have had an affair with the much younger Say, a disc jockey in Cebu.

Moreno has repeatedly denied the allegation. She denied being an incapable wife.

Moreno told a city prosecutor in her response to Marquez’s allegation that her husband merely wanted to have their marriage annulled to accommodate his new romantic relationship. Marquez is reportedly seeing former presidential daughter and TV personality, Kris Aquino.

While Marquez has been silent on the issue, Aquino has been dropping hints and coyly admitting to the public their relationship, which her family especially her brother, has openly disapproved of.