Ecleo followers want him to surface too

FOLLOWERS of former congressman Ruben Ecleo Jr. voiced anxiety over his disappearance following his recent conviction for the murder of his wife Alona Bacolod-Ecleo.

Leon “Boy” Famulagan, vice president of the Talisay City chapter of Ecleo’s Philippine Benevolent Missionary Association (PBMA), said they are praying for their master to surface and disprove the charges against him.

He said they still believe that Ecleo is not responsible for the death of Alona Bacolod-Ecleo and several of her kin.

“We haven’t heard anything from him and his whereabouts,” Famulagan said in Cebuano.

He said PBMA members from across the country gathered last May 8 at San Jose Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte to discuss the whereabouts of Ecleo.

Famulagan said the last time he was with Ecleo was in the sala of Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Soliver Peras.

Famulagan said he was one of the leaders who showed support for  their master.

Congress dropped Ecleo from the roster of the congressmen in an order that took effect last May 31.

The order was based on the Supreme Court’s dismissal of Ecleo’s plea to overturn the 2006 guilty verdict of the Sandiganbayan.

The Sandiganbayan’s First Division convicted Ecleo on three counts of corruption.

Ecleo is also convicted of parricide charges at the Cebu City Regional Trial Court (RTC).

Famulagan said their chapter is more concerned with Ecleo’s whereabouts than his recent ouster from Congress.

He said they are continuing to practice the good values taught to them by Ecleo and his father, Ruben Ecleo Sr. Correspondent Gabriel C. Bonjoc