CABANATUAN CITY – “Magisip- isip ka kapatid.” This was the only thing Mayvelyn Bote, widow of the slain Gen.
Tinio town Mayor Ferdinand Bote had to say to one of the accused when they met for the first time during the preliminary hearing of the murder case at city prosecutor’s office here Thursday.
“Umiyak siya at tumango,” Bote said referring to Arnold Gamboa, described as an architect who reportedly drove the gunmen to the chapel here after the killing.
The proceedings that was held at the office of Assistant City Prosecutor Francisco Macaraog was closed door.
Bote who again thanked the Philippine National Police (PNP) and President Duterte for the speedy action that resulted to the arrest of some suspects and identification of alleged mastermind, said she again felt the pains of losing her husband upon seeing Gamboa.
Lawyer Paul Michael Cuñano, one of the counsels for Bote, said only Gamboa who had no counsel, and a lawyer who represented alleged mastermind Christian Saquilabon were present from the respondents.
Gamboa was seen tightly guarded by operatives from the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) in Camp Olivas, Pampanga where Gamboa is detained.
Cuñano said they participated in the proceedings but maintained it was not a waiver in an urgent motion to recuse or a motion for inhibition of the entire office of the City Prosecutor’s of Cabanatuan City they filed before the Regional Prosecutor in San Fernando, Pampanga on July 25.
“Kasi po sa tingin po ng complainant ay baka po hindi tayo makakuha ng impartial na pag-imbestiga,” Cuñano said.
He said it is the right of every litigant to have the “cold neutrality of an impartial judge. “Kahit po appearance lamang ng partiality or bias ay sufficient po yun para mag-inhibit kasi sabi nga nila ang cold neutrality of impartial judge is beyond suspicion like Caesar’s wife,” he explained.
Among the grounds cited in the motion is the representation of lawyer Mario Benitez for Ireneo Cruz, a person of interest, while the lawyer’s son is an assistant prosecutor “who is assigned and detailed in the Office of the City Prosecutor of Cabanatuan City.”
It also noted that “respondent Saquilabon and his family are very well known in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija and has developed camaraderie and friendship with most, if not all, of the members of the City Prosecutors.”
Saquilabon, based on information gathered by the complainant, has very close ties, association and friendship with City Prosecutor Renato Villaroman who will ultimately decide on the fate of the case, the motion stressed.
The motion seeks transfer of hearing to the Department of Justice in Padre Faura in Manila.
Macaraig did not make a comment when requested for an interview.
