Espinosa’s affidavit has no more value, says Aguirre

Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. when he surrendered to PNP Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa in early August 2016 —JULLIANE LOVE DE JESUS/INQUIRER.net

The affidavit of Mayor Rolando Espinosa no longer had value after his death, said Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Wednesday.

The Albuera, Leyte mayor was killed last Saturday by policemen serving a search warrant inside the Baybay jail.

“Wala ng value ang affidavit ni Espinosa. Hearsay na lang ’yun if ever,” Aguirre said in a text message.

Aguirre’s view was echoed by Rosario Setias-Reyes, national president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP).

“If an affidavit is presented in court, the affiant will have to testify to confirm that it was the affidavit he executed,” Setias-Reyes said.

However, in Espinosa’s case, she said it could no longer be authenticated.

“Parang special power of attorney na in-execute ng tao, pag namatay ’yun, wala ng bisa,” she said.

Espinosa, in his affidavit, identified ranking government officials, including Sen. Leila De Lima, as among the protectors of his son Kerwin’s illegal drug activity. Aside from De Lima, there are 49 other former officials and individuals mentioned as his son’s protectors.

Reyes, however, said the affidavit no longer had any probative value.

“It is just a simple affidavit,” she said.

But she noted that while the affidavit would no longer stand in court, the information he mentioned in the affidavit could still be pursued and verified.