The lawyer of Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. has asked Cauayan Vice Mayor Jerry Tabujara to publicly retract derogatory statements made against his client in connection with the Judge Henry Arles murder case, or legal action will be taken against him.

Tabujara could not be reached for comment as of press time yesterday despite repeated calls made to him.

Francisco Rodriguez, in a letter to Tabujara dated Nov. 14, copies of which were released to the media yesterday, said that as early as October 5, newspaper publications have quoted his statements in his counter-affidavit filed before the Department of Justice in Manila.

“You had claimed that the filing of the case for murder against you ‘is politically motivated and orchestrated' by Governor Marañon along with some other persons. You also claimed that Governor Marañon had unleashed a mad dog, in the person of Mr. Philip Arles to ‘bark and bite at (you), Mayor Paul Alvarez and Vice Gov. Alvarez',” Rodriguez wrote.

Tabujara, the vice governor and mayor, who have been named among the respondents in the Arles murder, have vehemently denied involvement in the killing of the judge.

Rodriquez said Marañon denies having any participation or involvement in Tabujara's inclusion as a respondent in the Arles murder, and denounces his statements for being outright lies and falsehoods.

“The malicious, false and baseless statements which you have made under oath have cast aspersion upon the person and reputation of Gov. Marañon, who has worked unselfishly to render public service to the people of Negros Occidental and has always done his duty with integrity and competence,” Rodriquez also wrote Tabujara.

Rodriguez asked Tabujara to publicly retract his “derogatory statements”, otherwise his client will institute legal actions to protect and vindicate his rights.*CPG

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