Monday, April 16, 2007 Martinez camp links ex-ally to bank heist
OFFICIALLY withdrawing support for former ally Geralyn Escario, the Martinezes accused the Bantayan, Cebu mayor of involvement in Bogo town’s P9.4-million Land Bank heist.
Former congressman Celestino “Junie” Martinez, Rep. Clavel Martinez and their son Bogo Mayor Celestino “Tining” Martinez III, said Escario has knowledge about the August 2005 robbery.
In a political rally held in Escario’s own turf last Saturday, Junie said that if there is somebody who knows the details behind the bank raid, it is Escario.
This was his retort to candidate Benhur Salimbangon, who talked about the robbery and discussed Tining’s alleged involvement in a rally held in nearby Sta. Fe town.
“Uy Benhur, og wa’ ka makahibawo, naa si Geralyn pangutan-a. Kay ang usa sa nanulis iyang bata-bata (Benhur, go ask Escario. If you do not know, one robber was her aide),” Junie said.
Mayor’s comment
He was referring to Ceferino Serbano, the alleged owner of the getaway vehicles used in the robbery.
He, however, did not mention that the justice department already dropped the charges against Serbano because of “insufficient evidence.”
For his part, Tining said Escario has to explain why the robbers knew what time the Aspac-Bantayan money would arrive at the Land Bank-Bogo branch. He said the bulk of the stolen amount came from Bantayan.
In an interview, Escario laughed at the accusations. She said Serbano was not her ward but a licensed contractor from Bogo whom Bantayan tapped for some projects.
“Tingali di sila maka-explain mao nga gipasangil sa uban (Maybe it’s because the Martinezes could not sufficiently deny involvement, that they are blaming me instead). They are bankrupt of issues against me,” the mayor said.
The Martinezes fielded Susan Pacheco against Escario in the elections, and called on all Bantayanons to put an end to the “65-year regime of the Escario family.”
During a rally, Rep. Antonio Yapha, who is running for governor, and Clavel also told Bantayan residents their tandem has supporters in the entire province. “Sigurado nang modaog ta basta di lang binoangan (We will surely win if the opponents will not cheat us),” Clavel said.
Sought for comment, Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia merely said she “will not even dignify her outrageous accusations with a comment.” (KNT)
