LAWYER Ernesto Francisco backed out on Monday as counsel of Indanan, Sulu Mayor Alvarez Isnaji and his son, Haider, who are facing charges of four counts of kidnapping in connection with the abduction of a television news team and a peace advocate.

Francisco made the move at the start of the preliminary investigation on the charges held by prosecutors from the Department of Justice in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

“My withdrawal has nothing to do with the merits of the case,” Francisco said, adding that he has never handled a case of such nature in his entire career.

He said he handled kidnapping cases for the prosecution, but never for the defense.

Francisco said he was only asked to represent the Isnajis during the inquest proceedings, but he did not name the individual who approached him.

“It’s a matter of personal conviction. I don’t handle cases like this, this is the first time I handled a case like this,” he said.

Lawyer Firdausi Abbas, the new counsel for the respondents, admitted that a ransom of P20 million was paid for the freedom of television reporter Ces Oreña Drilon and the other kidnap victims.

He claimed that the first ransom of P5 million was jointly raised by the family of Drilon and her employer, television giant ABS-CBN.

Abbas’s claim was immediately denied by the television giant in a statement, saying: “ABS-CBN stands by its ‘no-ransom’ policy.      

We are cooperating fully with the police and are confident that any credible and thorough investigation will bear us out.”

The second ransom, which is P15 million, came and raised by a certain “Madam” or “Mister X,” Abbas added.

Abbas claimed that the P15 million was delivered on January 17, the day the victims were released by their captors, whom the police said are members of the Abu Sayyaf Group.

During the proceedings, the National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) only submitted its affidavits, including the statement of Sulu Vice Gov. Lady Ann Sahidulla.

The evidence presented by the CIDG also included the debriefing of the Isnajis.

Investigators included the Isnajis on the list of the suspects in the celebrated kidnapping after inconsistencies were noticed in their statements.

In addition, a police agent who was able to infiltrate the group that negotiated by the hostages’ release reported that the elder Isnaji pocketed P3 million of the initial P5 million ransom.

Asian Spirit flying amid insurance questions

Asian Spirit, the carrier of businessman/banker Alfredo Yao, is flying amid questions about its insurance cover.

A source at Prudential Guarantee and Assurance Inc. confirmed that it is no longer the airline’s insurer as of June 18.

Comelec to probe early campaigning

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to discuss on Wednesday a complaint filed by Sen. Miriam Santiago against the alleged premature campaigning of some politicians ahead of the 2010 polls.

LAWYER Ernesto Francisco backed out on Monday as counsel of Indanan, Sulu Mayor Alvarez Isnaji and his son, Haider, who are facing charges of four counts of kidnapping in connection with the abduction of a television news team and a peace advocate.

Palace not women-friendly–COA

THE Commission on Audit (COA) has bewailed the failure of the Office of the President and a number of government agencies to implement programs aimed at eliminating all forms of discrimination against women despite being given the mandate to spend portion of their funds for the purpose.

PEMC still awaiting court action on PSALM petition

POSSIBLY looking into the plight of consumers who would have to bear the brunt of having to pay for higher electricity in the midst of increasing prices of basic commodities and services, the Court of Appeals has yet to act on a petition for prohibition filed by the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) against the Philippine Electricity Market Corp. (PEMC) and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).

Foreign observers welcome in ARMM elections–Melo

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) is willing to allow foreign observers to monitor the August 11 polls in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) but their presence in the Southern Philippines may also need the approval of the Armed Forces, especially in Sulu.

Human-trafficking syndicate uses Clark as exit point–center

THE Blas F. Ople Policy Center, a nongovernment organization concerned with migrant workers’ rights and welfare, warned the public on Monday against the continued trafficking of women workers to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, through the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (Dmia) in Clark Field, Pampanga.

Makati launches ‘Baratilyo ng Basura sa Barangay’

THE city government of Makati, through its Department of Environmental Services (DES), on Monday launched the “Baratilyo ng Basura sa Barangay (BBB)” at the Makati City Hall Quadrangle.