Ebdane assails attempt to drag him in murder plot

‘“IT’S absurd and malicious.”

This was how Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane of Zambales province on Thursday described news reports citing him as present in an alleged meeting with Gov. Amado Espino of Pangasinan province and Rep. Jesus Celeste of the First District of Iba, Zambales in November 2011.

Ianela Jusi-Barrantes, Ebdane’s lawyer, in a statement, strongly rejected what she called as “baseless and unfounded allegations,” dragging Ebdane’s name in a murder plot.

Ebdane vehemently denied meeting Espino and Celeste in any instance in Zambales, or anywhere else in the country.

“The good governor would only have the chance to see Espino during the meeting of the League of Provinces in the Philippines since they are both members,” she said.

The Zambales governor is a former Philippine National Police chief and Department of Public Works and Highways secretary.

Barrantes said that the account of a 16-yearold witness citing Ebdane’s presence in a meeting with the two Pangasinan officials must not be taken seriously any further.

“Such false accusation is absurd and a patent lie designed to maliciously besmirch the good reputation of Governor Ebdane. He does not have anything to do with the cases filed against Espino and Celeste,” she noted.

She warned the witness of his criminal liability of perjury and other related cases for untruthful statement sworn under oath.

“Ebdane maintains his focus in accomplishing multiple tasks for the general welfare of the people of Zambales. He is not distracted by ill motives of his detractors, who opt to resort to cheap gimmickry to besmirch his reputation and good track record as a dedicated public servant,” she said.

The National Bureau of Investigation sued Espino and Celeste before the Department of Justice in connection with the December 2012 killing of mayor Ruperto Martinez of Infanta, Pangasinan.

A witness came forward and said that he was there in a meeting with the duo in Ebdane’s presence in Zambales two years ago.