Ex-mayor denies jail privileges
Two jail officials relieved of posts for allegedly giving murder suspect special treatment
TWO Cebu provincial jail wardens have been relieved from their post for allegedly giving special treatment to a detained politician.
But Alfredo Arcenio, former mayor of Lezo town in Aklan Province, broke his silence yesterday and denied receiving special privileges from the provincial jail management.
Arcenio, who is accused of killing Bombo Radyo broadcaster Herson “Boy” Hinolan in 2004, briefly spoke to reporters before his trial.
Arcenio said he does not have any political or personal connection to Capitol officials.
Judge Sylva Paderanga scheduled the continuation of the cross-examination on Arcenio.
State Prosecutor Hazel Valdez called Arcenio to the witness stand and asked questions in a bid to undermine his testimony.
Arcenio maintained his innocence of charges that he shot dead Hinolan for criticizing his administration in his radio program.
He said he was at home when the shooting happened on Nov. 13, 2004.
Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia recently suspended acting jail warden Napoleon Miranda following a video footage that showed the accused having a party inside the jail warden’s office last March 24.
Last Feb. 9, Garcia sacked provincial jail warden Algier Comendador and deputy jail warden Reynaldo Pepito Jr. for allowing Arcenio and his companions to have lunch out without a court permission.
Video footage shot by TV 5 showed Arcenio, his lawyer Eduardo Arriba, jail guard Edison Ferraren and another companion eating lunch in Sabel’s Restaurant beside the Capitol compound after one hearing last month.
Ferraren escorted Arcenio during a hearing on his murder case last February 8. During the meal that followed, the mayor was allegedly not handcuffed.
The Provincial Government suspended Ferraren for 90 days.
Under court procedures, the accused, through his counsel, has to file a pleading in court if he wants to go somewhere after his hearing. Otherwise, the security guard should bring the inmate back to his detention cell immediately.
Last month, Arcenio was caught in another controversy when he threw his sunglass pouch at a newspaper photographer.
Arcenio threw the sunglass case at Junjie Mendoza, who was among a group of photojournalists taking pictures of him while being escorted to a vehicle outside the Palace of Justice.
Interviewed by reporters before his hearing, Arcenio said he is merely “caught in the crossfire” between the disgruntled jail officials and Capitol officials.
But he said he does not get special treatment from the management of Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CDPRC).
He said his family members and supporters prepared the “surprise party” for his birthday inside the jail.
Arcenio said he wants to stay detained in the CPDRC due to the prison facility’s “unique program” in rehabilitating its inmates.
He also apologized to Garcia for causing the controversy that led to the relief of two jai officials.
Arcenio also said he had nothing against the Cebu media. “I am a friend of the media,” he said.
In his testimony, Arcenio denied he had shot Hinolan for attacking him in his radio program.
“I am not capable of killing anyone because I also have a name to protect,” Arcenio told the court.
Arcenio said he was home when the shooting occurred. He also labeled as “false testimony” and “all lies” the affidavit of a witness who had identified him as the gunman.