Governor's ex-aide convicted of estafa

MANILA, Philippines - A former chief of staff of Quezon Gov. Rafael Nantes was meted 13 years imprisonment yesterday by a Pasig City judge for promising the release of two drug suspects in exchange for P100,000 four years ago.

Judge Esperanza Fabon-Victorino of Regional Trial Court Branch 157 found Ramon Modesto guilty of estafa and ordered him to pay Rusell Gudelano P100,000 in damages.

Fabon-Victorino is also set to issue an arrest warrant against Modesto, who jumped bail after pleading not guilty.

Court records show that Gudelano found out his parents were arrested by the Quezon City police on June 10, 2005 for an alleged drug offense.

Modesto told Gudelano he knew of “influential people” who could set Gudelano’s parents free “as fast as three hours,” for a fee.

Gudelano handed over P100,000 but his parents failed to arrive home after three hours. He then learned the following day that the police filed formal charges against his parents in court.

Gudelano was forced to hire the services of another lawyer, who secured the release of his parents after two months.

The complainant went to the office of Modesto, who was then the chief of staff of Nantes, to inquire where the money went. Nantes was then a Quezon province congressman. – Non Alquitran