Ecleo plea falls on deaf ears

Dinagat Representative Ruben Ecleo

The Sandiganbayan has declared moot and academic Dinagat Representative Ruben Ecleo’s renewed plea to evade arrest and detention by citing his reportedly frail health condition.

In an order December 8, the antigraft court’s 1st Division pointed out that it had already denied last November Ecleo’s motions that essentially sought to stop his arrest, making his latest pleading moot and academic.

Thus, the court “merely noted without action” Ecleo’s motion to present evidence on his health condition.

In his motion, Ecleo said the court should rule on his plea to suspend the arrest warrant against him so he could seek medical attention.

He said the court should decide on this out of humanitarian consideration, and that the matter at stake could be whether or not he had forfeited his right to life because he had been convicted.

He also submitted a medical abstract as well as notes from his doctor who had diagnosed him to be suffering from coronary artery disease and stenosis. He also asked that his doctor be allowed to take the witness stand.

The Sandiganbayan earlier convicted Ecleo of violating the anti-graft law in connection with the construction of the allegedly overpriced public market and municipal building in San Jose, Surigao del Norte.

Ecleo was the mayor of San Jose when the buildings were constructed.

The court sentenced him to 18 to 31 years in jail and ordered him to pay the state P2.8 million.

After his conviction was deemed final with the issuance of an entry of judgment, the Sandiganbayan ordered Ecleo’s arrest.

Ecleo contested his arrest, saying the ruling could not be considered final as he has a pending motion on the matter before the Supreme Court. Leila B. Salaverria