Pidal debate leaves QC plumber dead

An argument over the controversial bank account of "Jose Pidal" led to the fatal stabbing of a 44-year-old plumber in Batasan Hills, Quezon City yesterday morning.

Jesus de Paz, of 74 Kalayaan B, Gulod Kasipagan street, Barangay Batasan Hills, Quezon City was pronounced dead on arrival by attending physicians at the Fairview General Hospital due to stab wounds in the different parts of the body.

Police are hunting down the suspect identified as Greggy Abantas, 14, of 779 Gulod Kasipagan street.

Investigation showed that at around 5 a.m., the victim and suspect were discussing the Jose Pidal exposé by Senator Ping Lacson, who alleged that it was a fictitious name being used by First Gentleman Miguel Arroyo for an account with a bank in Makati City.

The suspect, a supporter of Lacson, told the victim that he totally believes the accusations made during the senator’s privilege speech on the Pidal bank account.

The victim, a supporter of President Arroyo, said Lacson’s accusations were all "lies" and were politically motivated, being a known ally of disgraced President Joseph Estrada and a member of the opposition.

He also reminded the suspect that Lacson is a presidential aspirant, who wants to win the presidency by attacking his political opponents.

Irked by the victim’s attacks on the senator, the suspect left and went home.

But the suspect returned with a knife and immediately stabbed the victim.

The suspect immediately fled the scene to hide from the victim’s relatives and the police.