Ecleo trial ruling in Dec.

AFTER almost a decade, the trial of cult leader Ruben Ecleo Jr. ended last Wednesday.

The court verdict will be promulgated on Dec. 16.

Regional Trial Court Judge Soliver Peras of Branch 10 order the defense and prosecution to submit their memoranda on the case.

Ecleo, supreme master of the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association, was tried for  parricide for the  death of his wife Alona on  Jan. 5, 2002.

In 2004, the court allowed  Ecleo  to post P1-million bail so he could undergo treatment for his heart ailment.

Last April 6, the judge cancelled  bail after  Ecleo  failed to attend three straight hearings.

An arrest warrant  was issued against him.

The Sandiganbayan  found him guilty of overpricing construction supplies during his stint as mayor of San Jose, Dinagat Island, in Surigao del Norte.

Ecleo  is contesting the ruling before the Supreme Court.

Last Sept. 21,  the Sandiganbayan’s first division denied the motion for reconsideration filed by Ecleo, also incumbent Dinagat Island representative, to suspend the arrest warrant against him.

It also considered moot his offer of a P3-million bond to suspend his warrant and to show that he would not flee the country.

The Sandiganbayan said Ecleo’s graft conviction was final and executory, which was why the court was duty-bound to execute the ruling. Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol with an Inquirer report