Probe is on of jail party for mayor in media slay

CEBU CITY—The Cebu provincial government is investigating reports of VIP treatment for a former Aklan town mayor who allegedly held a birthday party in the provincial jail where he is detained while on trial for the murder of a broadcast journalist in 2004.

Video of the party last week allegedly held for Alfredo Arcenio, former mayor of Lezo, Aklan, leaked out of jail. Arcenio is on trial for the killing of broadcaster Heherson “Boy” Hinolan in November 2004.

It showed visitors carrying food into the office of the acting jail warden, Napoleon Miranda.

Lawyer Jose Marie Gastardo, provincial consultant on jail matters, neither confirmed nor denied the party was held.

“I cannot answer you if it was a party but there is a footage,” said Gastardo. “There were pictures showing people bringing food,” he said. “They were believed to be the visitors of the mayor.”

Gastardo said Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia ordered a formal investigation. Last month, Arcenio was also caught on video having lunch in a restaurant near the provincial capitol after attending a court hearing. Carmel Loise Matus, Inquirer Visayas