Friday, June 13, 2008 Lawyer dismisses amicable settlement with Madrigal
THE former lawyer of First Gentleman Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo has cast aside any possibilities of entering into an out-of-court solution with opposition Senator Jamby Madrigal, whom he had sued for allegedly falsifying a document to implicate the presidential spouse in the national broadband network (NBN)-ZTE controversy.
Jesus Santos said he may not even accept an apology from Madrigal if and when the lawmaker decides to clear her name in the falsification case filed against her before the Pasay City Prosecutor's Office.
"Definitely there will be no settlement whatsoever. This is a criminal case, she should answer this in court," Santos said after Thursday's hearing at the prosecutor's office.
He stressed, however, that it would be easier for Madrigal to admit that she had caused the falsification of a letter from then National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) director general Romulo Neri bearing the notation "Copy for FG", meaning the First Gentleman.
The letter, dated March 29, 2007, was addressed to Chinese Ambassador Li Jinjun, which Madrigal presented before a Senate Blue Ribbon committee hearing last February 26.
During Thursday's hearing, the three-man prosecution panel led by City Prosecutor Elmer Mitra ordered Madrigal, through her lawyer Rachel Pastores, to appear on July 1 to submit her counter-affidavit on Santos' complaint.
The senator was a no-show at the hearing but Pastores assured her client's presence in the next hearing to answer the accusations against her.
After the submission of Madrigal's counter-affidavit, Prosecutor Arman Mangabat said they would submit the case for resolution.
Asked if they have a strong case against Madrigal, Santos said the certification alone by Neda correcting the initials "FG" is strong evidence against the legislator.
In a press statement on February 27, Neda said what appeared in the letter was "copy for FGI/PIS", stands for "Florante G. Igtiben," while PIS meant "Public Investment Staff" of Neda.
Igtiben, the agency explained, is the chief of the Asia Pacific Division of PIS who handles all projects funded by China.
In his complaint, Santos said the letter presented by Madrigal during the Senate hearing bore the initials "Copy for FG", with the letters "I/PIS" clearly erased.
The lawyer also presented a transcript from the Senate Blue Ribbon committee of its February 26 hearing on the NBN-ZTE contract bearing Madrigal's statements on the subject letter.
"Mr. Chairman, we have a letter here. And it is very important for us to know from the person who received this who this 'FG' is. Is it First Goon, First Gangster or First Gentleman?" Madrigal was quoted in the transcript as saying to committee chairman, Senator Allan Peter Cayetano.
"How will she explain this, we don't know. But she has to. This is a falsification by a public officer. A crime was committed," Santos said.
Santos reiterated that the First Gentleman has nothing to do with the criminal complaint, saying he filed it in his capacity as chairman and legal counsel of the Confederation of Government Employees Organization (Cogeo) that he claimed has a membership of at least one million.
Santos served as Arroyo's lawyer and spokesman but he retired from that position early this year when he reached 80 years old. He was replaced by lawyer Ruy Alberto Rondain. (AH/Sunnex)
