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Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Arroyo critic-televangelist ordered arrested for 'estafa' (2:43 p.m.)
MANILA -- The Department of Justice (DOJ) Tuesday ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to apprehend former presidential candidate and televangelist Eduardo "Bro. Eddie" Villanueva over an estafa case filed in court by Benito Araneta, an alleged cousin of First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo.
Araneta said Villanueva owed him P15 million.
Villanueva called the move as "political harassment" since he is a known critic of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and had asked her to step down for allegedly cheating in last year's elections.
He also said it is Araneta who owes him millions of pesos for airtime and other expenses for using Villanueva's Channel 11. Villanueva added that his legal counsel, Lorna Kapunan, even issued a demand letter to Araneta.
Villanueva questioned the issuance by the Mandaluyong City Regional Trial Court (RTC) of the arrest warrant, made last April 5 yet, without the holding of a clarificatory hearing.
He said the estafa case is "manufactured, fabricated".
Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr. washed his hands off any involvement in the issuance of the warrant as it was the court that issued it and Villanueva should complain to the court about it. (Sunnex) |
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