FOR Talisay City Councilor Socrates “Soc” Fernandez, the Sandiganbayan’s decision to perpetually disqualify him from holding office does not crucify him.

He said the anti-graft court’s verdict made his relationship with his family even stronger.

“Nasuwat na sa balaang kasulatan nga kada adlaw duna kitay tagsa-tagsa ka suliran, mga pagsuway. Ato nang dawaton uban ang pagsalig nga naay makagagahum nga motabang (It is written in the Bible that each of us has to face problems, challenges. Let us accept these with a trusting attitude that there is a supreme being who will help us),” Fernandez told reporters on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019.

The anti-graft court found enough evidence that Fernandez, when he was still the city mayor, had taken advantage of his official position by unlawfully retrieving a lady’s shoulder bag from a vehicle that was under police custody.

It found Fernandez guilty of obstruction of justice in relation to the warrantless arrest of his adopted son, Joavan, in 2010.

Fernandez belittled the Sandiganbayan’s decision, which was released last Oct. 25.

Behind bars

Joavan is now behind bars after several brushes with the law. He was sentenced in 2016 to spend nine to 50 years in prison for illegal possession of firearms and an explosive during an election gun ban in 2013.

Fernandez, a staunch Catholic faith defender, was also resolute in defending Joavan despite the public criticism of his adopted son’s antics and unlawful acts.

On Wednesday, Nov. 6, reporters did an ambush interview with Fernandez after he was spotted attending an activity at the Talisay City Hall.

Reconsideration

Fernandez said he is hoping that the Sandiganbayan would weigh the arguments presented by his lawyers in the motion for reconsideration filed last Monday, Nov. 4.

His camp would elevate the case to the Supreme Court if the Sandiganbayan would dismiss the motion. (FMD, KAL)