|
Thursday, January 27, 2005
Byron denies insulting judge, threatening sheriff
By Minerva B. Gerodias
Sun.Star Staff Reporter
A group of wives and relatives of inmates at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) want Byron Garcia retained as the Capitol consultant on security.
About 20 of them went to the Capitol yesterday to show their support for Byron, who was attending a hearing where he was investigated for allegedly harassing a court sheriff and defying a court order.
The relatives and one former inmate who was with the group told reporters that drugs, drinking sprees and gambling were rampant in the old jail, but were curbed when Byron instituted reforms at the new facility in Barangay Kalunasan.
They also clarified that their presence in Capitol was voluntary.
Byron is on leave while being investigated.
Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, Byron’s sister, said she will not meet with the group, as she wants to stay away from Byron’s case to avoid suspicions of a whitewash.
Instead, she will send Provincial Administrator Eduardo Habin to talk to the wives and the relatives.
“Action speaks louder than words. They (group) present another dimension of the story. But I will continue to stay away from this case and just wait for the report of the committee,” Gwendolyn said.
Byron, for his part, said he was surprised to see the group after his hearing at the conference room of his sister’s office.
‘Arrogant’
During the hearing, Byron submitted his written comment on the allegations against him. He was assisted by lawyer Lito Astillore.
The investigation began after sheriff Julbert Opada complained of an incident that took place when he went to CPDRC last Dec. 30, 2004. He was trying to serve a court order to have political detainee Eduardo Sacamay checked by a physician.
Byron said Opada was “arrogant” but he still allowed him to enter CPDRC and even toured him through the different sections of the jail.
Byron also denied Opada’s allegation that he called the judge who issued the order dumb, saying he could not berate a judge as his mother is a retired judge herself.
He also denied threatening to have Opada salvaged or pointing a gun at the court sheriff.
But he admitted that he asked Opada if a bulge in his waistline was a gun.
Byron also jokingly told Opada that the latter was like sheriffs in western movies who sometimes dare criminals to a gun duel.
Byron believes the sheriff return report, which contains Opada’s complaint, was fabricated.
He said that if the report was true, during the hearing last Jan. 5, the judge should have called his attention or should have cited him in contempt.
Supporters
Instead, the judge dismissed the habeas corpus petition filed by Sacamay’s lawyer, saying the court order has been duly accomplished.
For his part, Opada, who also appeared in the hearing, said he will stand by his story but said he had not planned on taking other legal actions against Byron.
Byron’s supporters, including a former inmate, said they heard radio reports that the consultant already resigned and that he had a hearing yesterday, so they went to Capitol to show their support.
“Since Byron imposed stricter rules on visits, vices of inmates were stopped. Rehabilitation gud na diha. Sa una, rehabilitation kuno pero naay shabu. The inmates are in good health now,” said Albert Borres, a former inmate who has a relative inside the CPDRC.
“Before, shabu was sold right in front of us. In the old jail, wives and mistresses would engage in a catfight. Now that rules are very strict, there’s no more trouble,” a wife said.
They said they want Byron to continue what he has started and not be affected by media reports.
(January 27, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
