MikeLigalig.com

By Robert Gonzaga
Central Luzon Desk, Philippine Daily Inquirer

OLONGAPO CITY, Philippines—Calls are mounting for the removal of a Zambales town mayor who was arraigned on Wednesday for the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl, but who continues to wield his powers as mayor.

San Marcelino Mayor Jose Rodriguez, accompanied by his son, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority lawyer Von Rodriguez, and his lawyer, Maria Rosario Cesa, arrived at the Olongapo Justice Hall at noon of Wednesday for the arraignment.

Rodriguez appeared before Judge Richard Paradeza of the Regional Trial Court Branch 72 here and entered a plea of “not guilty” to violating the Anti-Child Abuse Act (Republic Act No. 7610).

Court attendance

Present were the mother of the 12-year-old girl he allegedly raped, members of nongovernment organizations and personnel of the Olongapo social welfare and development office that took custody of the girl, who turned 13 last month.

After hearing Rodriguez’s plea, Paradeza set the pretrial hearing for Jan. 26, and ended the proceedings.

Joy Bayona, associate provincial prosecutor, also charged Jonie Ponce, also known as “Jodie,” with bringing the girl to the mayor’s rest house in San Marcelino where the alleged rape took place.

In her resolution, Bayona said Rodriguez and Ponce were also liable for violating the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 (Republic Act No. 9208) and RA 7610.

She said Rodriguez and Ponce may be entitled to P180,000-P200,000 each in bail for the child abuse charge, but she did not recommend bail for the trafficking case.

On Dec. 29, Rodriguez posted a bail bond of P180,000 to evade arrest.
The mayor and his lawyer refused to issue a statement after Wednesday’s arraignment, which lasted less than 10 minutes.

But Rodriguez, in an earlier statement, denied the charges and said it was a “classic paragon of character assassination.”

Rodriguez, in his counter affidavit, said he was “on the road, traveling to Manila” on the day of the rape on Sept. 12.

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