MALOLOS CITY – Just when Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando and his spin doctors think that everything has been settled by a rejoinder news article to a satire written by Manila Times columnist Dante Ang, mediamen here found a bombshell that might yet lead to a criminal case against the governor and his aide.
The new trouble surfaced after Atty. Wilma T. Eisma, chairman and administrator of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, issued an official statement regarding the incident last May 8 when the governor’s three-vehicle convoy was blocked at the Tipo toll plaza on their way to a resort in Morong, Bataan.
“I would have wanted to maintain my silence on this issue with the Governor which I have deemed unimportant in this time of a pandemic, but members of the media have been pressing me to say my piece considering that this matter has been the subject of a May 20 opinion piece by Manila Times publisher Dr. Dante Ang, and that Gov. Fernando himself had had his rejoinder published in the same paper the following day,” Eisma started his narration of the incident.
“At 4:04 pm, one Atty. Datsun, who introduced himself as an aide of Fernando, texted me to ask if the governor can call me up. I said yes, but added that if this was about the entry to Subic, I reminded him that we are strictly implementing the ECQ rules issued by President Duterte,” Eisma disclosed.
She added to her text: “I trust that it is the leaders of the country like you and me who should follow it, so we can set an example to our people. If I will allow you to pass through, it’s only for one way. You have to go out through Morong.”
“Atty. Datsun sounded amiable, so I further explained my position: that I refused them entry because I was advised that the governor was just going to visit his resort (in Morong), and that under the circumstances I can only allow relief operations, and delivery of essential services,” Eisma said.
“The governor’s aide then claimed that they are not going to visit any resort, because the governor has already sold his resort five years ago. He added that Gov. Fernando has long provided help to Morong because he has relatives there,” Eisma continued as she apologized for having hurt the governor’s feelings and explained again that she was just trying to do her job.
“Atty. Datsun said he understood my position, but that the governor was really offended. After that, I called up governor’s number that Atty. Datsun gave me. At this point, I was considering letting them pass through, so that the situation can be resolved there and then. But I was not prepared for what I heard. Gov. Fernando simply went ballistic!” Eisma said.
Gov. Fernando told Eisma that their convoy had already turned back and going to Morong the long way (through Mariveles). “Still he harped on his right as local chief executive to unhampered access,” said Eisma.
A member of the Bulacan PNP Press Corps said that there is no lawyer by the name of Atty. Datsun working at the Provincial Capitol much more an aide of Fernando.
Rommel Ramos, a stringer of GMA-7, said Datsun Fulgar, has been the close-in bodyguard of Fernando since he became the vice governor in 2010.
“He is not a lawyer. Kinasuhan ko yan ng grave threats dahil binunutan ako ng baril at hinamon ng away nyan habang nagtataasan kami ng boses ni Vice Gov (Fernando),” Ramos disclosed.
Ramos was referring to a luncheon press conference called by Fernando on October 1, 2014 at the Eurobake Rest. in Tabang, Guiguinto to clear out an issue allegedly linking Fernando to a coed (Jaimelyn Serrano) at the Bulacan State University.
Ramos recalled that at the heat of the question and answer between him and the governor, Fulgar pulled his .45 pistol from his back, threatened and challenged Ramos to a fight.
Ramos filed a case of grave threat, grave coercion, unjust vexation and illegal possession of firearms against Datsun but was dismissed by the Chief Provincial Prosecutor of Bulacan. He appealed the case to the regional State Prosecutor (Region III) in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga and the case has been gathering cobwebs since 2015.
Officers of the said they will request a certification from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines – Bulacan chapter to find out if there is such an Atty. Datsun in the Roll of Attorney of the Philippine Bar.
Orlan Mauricio, a lifetime-member and former director of the National Press Club and National Union of Journalist (NUJP-Bulacan) chapter president said they will also inform and get a certification from the SBMA administrator to attest to her official statement that she exchanged text messages with the aide of Fernando who represented himself as Atty. Datsun.
If indeed there is no Atty. Datsun and we are able to get the evidence and confirmation from Atty. Eizma’s cellphone about the text messages, we will file a case of usurpation of authority against the governor (principal by inducement) and Datsun (principal by direct participation), Mauricio said.