On the turnaround of Star Witness “God really works in mysterious ways,” – Gov. Espino

Lingayen- - -“It was a relief. My family was relieved. God really works in mysterious ways.”

Governor Amado T. Espino (right)

This was expressed by Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. in his statement on December 2 after the members of the media sought his reaction after the lone witness in the murder case of Infanta mayor Ruperto Martinez’s murder recanted his first affidavit that implicated the governor, Pangasinan 1^st District Rep. Jesus “Boying” Celeste, Zambales Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane and his own father, Jaime Aquino last year.

Jestin Aquino, the 17-year old witness, surfaced before members of the media on November 28 and revealed that his earlier testimony submitted to the National Bureau of Investigation was purely scripted and dictated by lawyer he identified as Atty. Bodie Pulido, a losing congressional bet of the Liberal Party in the province’s first district. 

Aquino narrated to the media that Pulido was assisted by a losing LP gubernatorial bet Hernani Braganza, Police Provincial Director Sr. Supt. Marlou Chan and Manny Tolentino, a losing mayoral LP bet in Alcala.

Gov. Espino said that the boy appeared to be sincere when he asked for forgiveness last November 27 in an undisclosed place after escaping from his detention cell in Camp Crame two days earlier.

“The first thing I did after meeting with the boy is to see my mother in Manila who became ill after what happened. I told her about the development and although she can’t open her eyes nor speak, I felt her emotion when she tightly held my hand,” the governor stated.

The provincial chief executive told the media that he is leaving the matters in the care of his legal counsel and hope that justice will soon be served as regards the case.

“If I were to be asked, I think Pulido must be disbarred for not upholding to his duty as a lawyer. This is too much, my name was put to vain but I forgive the young boy and I thank him for speaking the truth,” he stressed.

Further, the governor appealed to all Pangasinense especially the youth not to imitate what the politicians did.

“Maruming pulitiko na ang pinairal nila pero tao na ang nagsalita noong eleksyon nararapat lang na pakinggan natin sila.  It will now be the word of a 17- year old boy against the four,” Gov. Espino said. (PIO/Ruby R. Bernardino)