Money is just ‘legal fees:’ Ungab

LAWYER Jonnah John Ungab yesterday denied accusations he is protecting the alleged illegal drug trade of Roland “Kerwin” Espinosa.

“My relationship with the Espinosas is purely professional and legal,” Ungab told Sun.Star Cebu in a text message.

Ungab said he handled Espinosa’s case when the latter appealed his conviction for illegal drugs in 2008.

The trial court’s decision was later reversed and Espinosa was acquitted in 2009 of a drug case.

Ungab issued the statement when sought for his reaction in relation to the anti-drug charges filed by Chief Insp. Jovie Espenido, Albuera, Leyte police station chief, against Ungab and other respondents before the Department of of Justice in Eastern Visayas (DOJ-8).

Espenido accused Ungab, who is also the vice mayor of Ronda town in Cebu, of being a drug protector of Espinosa, the suspected top drug personality in Eastern Visayas.

Apart from Ungab, the police also implicated Leyte-based journalists Leo Dumon of dyKC and Sunday Punch; John Kevin Pilapil of Power FM in Ormoc City, and a correspondent of both Sun.Star Superbalita and CNN Philippines; and Lalaine Jimenea, publisher of EV Mail based in Ormoc City.

The other respondents are businessmen Eufrocino “Winnie” C. Codilla Jr., the brother of the former mayor of Ormoc City, and Victor Espina Jr., the brother of retired Philippine National Police Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina; retired Bureau of Jail Management and Penology official Joseph Nuñez, the former jail warden of Ormoc City.

Talent fee

Pilapil, in a separate interview, denied being a drug protector of Kerwin Espinosa.

He said he received a “talent fee” from the Espinosas since he worked as a blocktimer of radio dyDR during the campaign of Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. last election.

For his part, Ungab admitted he handled Kerwin’s petition for nullity of marriage in 2015.

He also served as the legal consultant when Mayor Espinosa filed for certificate of candidacy as mayor of Albuera, Leyte.

Ungab said the checks he received were payment for the legal services he rendered for the Espinosas.

“I could not comment on that,” said Aurelio Damole, Cebu Chapter president of the Vice Mayors League of the Philippines on Ungab’s inclusion in the list.

He said he will not also investigate Ungab since there’s no request for it.

Cebu Provincial Board Member Christopher Baricuatro, a former Dumanjug vice mayor, cannot believe Ungab’s involvement in drugs.

Payment

If Ungab gets money from the Espinosa family, it’s payment for his legal and professional job as lawyer, he said.

Ungab has not gone on leave, said Ronda Mayor Mariano Blanco. Ungab was still working yesterday, he said.

Kadtong pag-take oath ni Albuera Mayor Espinosa, gi-hire siya as legal consultant,” said Blanco.

In a phone interview yesterday, Espenido said the people he included in the charge sheet are the same people identified by Kerwin’s father, Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr, in a sworn statement detailing Kerwin’s drug operation.

Among the evidences used in the case were a “blue book” and testimonies which linked the respondents to the Espinosa family.

Officials

Espenido said there were at least 84 government officials in the list. This includes lawmakers and policemen and more than 150 civilians involved in the drug syndicate of Kerwin.

The police are still gathering evidence before filing cases against the remaining personalities, the police chief said.

Mayor Espinosa, who was arraigned last Wednesday at RTC Branch 14 in Baybay City, pleaded not guilty on charges of illegal possession of firearms. With Sunnex

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