Mark Anthony enters ‘not guilty’ plea

Fernandez —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—Actor Mark Anthony Fernandez pleaded innocent on Tuesday when arraigned on the charge of transporting a kilogram of dried marijuana, which the police found inside his car on Oct. 3 in Angeles City.

The charge was read to Fernandez, 37, at the sala of Judge Ireneo Pangilinan Jr. of the Municipal Trial Court Branch 1, the third judge to handle the case.

Judge Eda Era of the Regional Trial Court Branch 60 had inhibited herself from the case because her husband and Fernandez are members of Guardians Brotherhood Inc.

Judge Meredith Malig of RTC Branch 58 took over the trial in an acting capacity, until Pangilinan was assigned to try Fernandez.

The police also charged Fernandez with resisting arrest. His lawyer, Sylvia Flores, claimed the actor was arrested under “doubtful circumstances.”

Chief Supt. Aaron Aquino, Central Luzon regional police director, had defended Angeles City policemen, saying they “complied with the processes of the law.”

Fernandez has not been able to get temporary freedom. Republic Act No. 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) bars a suspect carrying a kilogram or more of marijuana from posting bail.

Earlier, the actor admitted to reporters and police officials that he had been using marijuana for “cancer prevention.” He claimed to have obtained the consent of his father, actor Rudy Fernandez, who died of cancer.

The arraignment on Tuesday took 30 minutes. Fernandez’s mother, actress Alma Moreno, did not attend the proceeding. —TONETTE OREJAS