Allies, rivals remind Soc on rehab for son

CALLS to place Joavan Fernandez behind bars were renewed after he figured in another gun-toting case during a vehicular accident in Talisay City yesterday dawn.

Whenever the adopted son of Mayor Socrates Fernandez figures in a controversy, the mayor’s allies always remind him to send Joavan to a rehabilitation facility.

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Among them is Rep. Eduardo R. Gul-las (Cebu Province, 1st district), who is backing Fernandez’s reelection bid in the May 10 polls.

Yesterday, similar advice surfaced, this time from the opposition.

Joining the calls for Joavan’s rehabilitation was former Provincial Board (PB) member Raul Bacaltos, who is also running for mayor.

Bacaltos, the Liberal Party’s standard-bearer, said his advice transcends politics, as his main concern is the safety of Talisay residents.

“We are not politicking just to gain media mileage. We’re talking here of the safety of our fellow Talisaynons. God forbid, what will happen if we or one of our family members encounters Joavan?” he asked.

Bacaltos considers Joavan a potential hazard in the community.

Joavan was detained twice at the Talisay City Rehabilitation and Detention Center in Barangay Maghaway.

His first confinement stemmed from the alleged shooting to death of jeepney driver Panfilo Barinque in Barangay Cansojong in 2006. The case did not prosper, though, after witnesses, including Barinque’s wounded conductor, desisted.

Joavan returned to jail after he was linked to the mauling and serious illegal detention of two vulcanizing boys in Barangay Tabunok in 2008. He was able to post bail.

Bacaltos said the latest incident would have been avoided had Fernandez heeded the advice of Gullas and his political allies. (GC)