Joavan’s cases may hurt Soc’s chances, ally says
Monday, February 8, 2010
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JOAVAN Fernandez’s latest run-in with the law may affect the reelection campaign of his father for the 2010 elections, said an official yesterday.
Talisay City Administrator Richel Bacaltos said that whether or not Joavan gets in trouble, his controversial record will probably be brought up by the opposition while his father, Socrates Fernandez, seeks a third consecutive term as mayor.
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Bacaltos serves as the administration’s campaign manager and spokesperson.
Joavan, adopted son of Fernandez, is facing charges of attempted homicide, reckless imprudence leading to damage to property and physical injuries after he allegedly nearly ran over Jonathan Ignacio and his wife Irene when he overtook them past 3 a.m. Friday.
Despite the controversy, Bacaltos said the people of Talisay City remain supportive of Fernandez, as shown during their regular “pulong-pulong” (gatherings) in different barangays.
Bacaltos denied reports that Talisaynons have withdrawn their support from Fernandez because of his son’s pending criminal cases.
A day after Joavan’s latest incident, Talisay City Vice Mayor Alan Bucao, who used to criticize Fernandez, said in a radio dyRF interview that opposition mayoral candidate Raul Bacaltos was overreacting.
Raul Bacaltos has said the city is in fear because of Joavan’s antics.
Meanwhile, Talisay City’s police officials are preparing the affidavits of the Ignacio couple regarding the involvement of three policemen in the controversy.
Supt. Henry Biñas, chief of the Talisay City Police Station, said he expects to receive the couple’s affidavits today.
The affidavits, according to Biñas, will help determine how traffic policemen SPO1 Elmer Saladas, PO2 Roelito Tano and PO1 Manolito Daal responded to Joavan’s case last Friday.
One of the concerns is the police team’s failure to search Joavan’s vehicle, despite the Ignacios’ report that the mayor’s son carried a gun when he threatened them.
