Joavan pleads not guilty

JOAVAN Fernandez pleaded not guilty on charges of violating the election gun ban and illegal possession of firearms.

Fernandez was arraigned Friday before Judge Leopoldo Canete of the Regional Trial Court Branch 60 in Barili town, southwest Cebu.

Joavan, the adopted son of former Talisay City mayor and now city councilor Socrates Fernandez, was assisted by lawyer George Bragat during the proceedings.

The two charges against Joavan stemmed from an arrest made by the police last May 20 in Moalboal town where they confiscated a .45 pistol and ammunition from the possession of the accused.

Joavan is presently detained at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) in barangay Kalunasan, Cebu City.

While most of his cases are bailable, he has not been released from prison due to a charge for illegal possession of explosive, a non-bailable offense pending before RTC Branch 10 in Cebu City.  /REPORTER ADOR VINCENT S. MAYOL