Nabbed Surigao fiscal posts bail

BUTUAN CITY — Surigao del Sur prosecutor Teofilo Beberino Manuel Jr., who was jailed for bribery charges, was released yesterday after posting bail of P20,000.

Butuan City prosecutor Felixberto Guiritan had recommended the P20,000 bail bond for Manuel’s temporary liberty on charges of direct bribery instead of robbery-extortion.

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Caraga Regional Director Lauro Reyes told newsmen here that he will personally focus on the case as he is not happy with the direct bribery charges.

Reyes claimed the 60-year-old fiscal may have gravely abused his powers and authority to demand power or favors not only once but thrice from an Abaca trader identified as Remedios Leyson Moloboco, 33, a resident of Bayugan, Agusan del Sur.

In her complaint, Moloboco claimed that Manuel first asked P2,500 from her last year, then a plane ticket for Cebu City later. She said she only gave Manuel P1,000, which angered her family.

Manuel was arrested after Moloboco sought assistance from the NBI on the alleged extortion attempts.

In an exclusive interview with The STAR, Manuel denied the accusations, saying he was surprised when he was arrested.

He said it was Moloboco who requested a meeting at the Gaisano Mall here last Feb.1. He said he was here in Butuan City only to renew his free passes with the Bachelor Express Bus Company whose fleet of passenger buses are plying the Butuan City-Surigao del Sur routes.