Ex-justice secretary to handle poll case vs Abalos

MANILA, Philippines–Retired Court of Appeals Justice Artemio Tuquero  will handle the electoral sabotage case against former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Benjamin Abalos.

Former Commission on Elections Chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Tuquero, also a former Justice Secretary of the Estrada administration and a member of the Iglesia ni Cristo, is also the counsel of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in a separate  electoral sabotage case pending before Pasay City Regional Trial Court Branch 112. He is also one of the counsels of boxing champion Manny Pacquiao.

Lawyer Brigido Dulay confirmed in a text message that Tuquero will take over his place before Pasay City RTC Branch 112.

Still, he said he will continue representing Abalos in a separate electoral sabotage case before Pasay RTC Branch 117.

Pasay RTC Branch 112 Judge Jesus Mupas cited Dulay in indirect contempt for asking him to inhibit from the case. Dulay revealed that an alleged emissary of Mupas is extorting P100 million from Abalos. Mupas issued a warrant for his arrest which was stopped by the appeals court. The appeals court eventually ordered the dropping of contempt case against Dulay.

After the appeals court ruling, Dulay voluntarily withdrew as counsel for Abalos Sr. “to spare my client from the possible negative repercussions that may arise due to the animosity which the Presiding Judge may have against me as a result of the reversal of his contempt verdict by the Court of Appeals (CA).”