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Sunday, March 07, 2004
Ecleo may be supreme master, but uncle hopes to be mayor
By Elias O. Baquero
FORMER Surigao del Norte governor Francisco Matugas yesterday denied that parricide suspect Ruben Ecleo Jr. is running for mayor unopposed in San Jose town, Dinagat Island.
Matugas said Ruben’s uncle Dominador Ecleo is seeking the post under the Partido ng Masang Pilipino, which Matugas is affiliated with.
Matugas faxed to Sun.Star a copy of the certified list of candidates for local posts in San Jose town for the May 10 elections.
The certification issued by Election Registrar Avelino J. Edillo shows that Dominador and Ruben Jr. are up against each other in the San Jose mayoralty race.
San Jose’s incumbent mayor is Allan Ecleo, Ruben’s younger brother.
However, defense lawyer Orlando Salatandre Jr. said Ruben has withdrawn his candidacy, after reports of the candidacy prompted Regional Trial Court Judge Generosa Labra to ask whether the ex-mayor is indeed seriously ill.
Labra of Branch 23 has allowed Ruben, who is accused of killing his wife Alona in January 2002, to post P1-million bail because of his worsening health.
Sister act
The judge, though, has delayed Ruben’s release by at least a week, as she gave the prosecution until Friday to ask for reconsideration of her order. The prosecution also wants the bail increased to P5 million cash, if the court should push through with granting it.
Labra also wants to know whether Ruben, also supreme master of the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association, is running for office in his hometown, where he stayed before his arrest in June 2002.
But Geraldine Villaroman, Ruben’s younger sister, will reportedly be the one to seek the post.
She will be challenging Dominador, owner of an arrastre service firm in San Jose.
(March 7, 2004 issue)
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