‘Eleuterio Tan’ told: Reply to P5-M civil suit

CEBU CITY — The Regional Trial Court has summoned the controversial Eleuterio Tan to answer the P5-million civil suit filed against him by Cebu businessman Victor Jose Uy.

Uy filed the case amid questions surrounding Tan’s actual existence, but the same complaint is also expected to finally show if the two men are one and the same person.

RTC Judge Aproniano Taypin has required Tan to enter his appearance in the case within 15 days and to answer the complaint filed against him.

The summons indicated Tan’s address at Solid Builders GCC Libertad, Mandaluyong City.

If Tan fails to submit his answer within the prescribed period, the court will be compelled to declare him in default and order him to pay the damages sought.

Uy filed a case for misrepresentation against Tan late last month after the latter allegedly used his picture and address in withdrawing millions of pesos in suspected gambling proceeds and tobacco excise taxes from the Land Bank.

At the impeachment trial last month, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel presented pictures from Tan’s company ID and from Uy’s driver’s license.

The two photos allegedly reveal a striking similarity between Tan and Uy, giving rise to speculations that the two are one and the same person.

In an interview with The Freeman, Uy insisted that Eleuterio Tan actually exists.

"I do not know this person but I am sure that he does exist. The filing of this case will eventually bring out the truth about this person," Uy said.

Uy sued Tan for P4 million in damages and P1 million in attorney’s fees for the alleged fraudulent use of his picture and other personal circumstances which dragged his name into the jueteng scandal.

"I am convinced that Tan legally exists. Among my friends, I am known as Jojo Uy and not as Eleuterio Tan," Uy said.

Uy said he is willing to testify before the impeachment court because he has nothing to hide.

He submitted a formal communication with the Senate impeachment court, manifesting his willingness to testify. — Freeman News Service