Chit Estella’s widower still grieves for his ‘soulmate’

The widower of veteran journalist Lourdes “Chit" Estella-Simbulan filed a supplemental complaint against the bus driver blamed for her death in a road accident last May 13. Professor Roland Simbulan, in his complaint, noted his emotional suffering following the death of his “sole companion and soulmate." “After her death, I had, and continue to have trouble sleeping. I also experienced, and continue to experience, serious anxiety and great mental anguish, she being my sole companion and soulmate," Prof. Simbulan said. Prof. Simbulan filed his supplemental complaint during Tuesday’s resumption of the preliminary investigation of the case at the office of Quezon City Assistant City Prosecutor Ronald Torrijos. In his affidavit-complaint, Prof. Simbulan disclosed that he and his wife were supposed to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary this year. “The absence of one is unthinkable and may be unbearable. Her sudden, unexpected and violent death has therefore deeply shocked and traumatized me, and caused me great emotional distress," he said. “Because of this I have been advised to seek professional help for Chit’s sudden, unexpected and violent demise," he added. The complaint, filed against Daniel Espinosa, is for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and damage to property. The Quezon City Traffic Police has filed the original complaint against Espinosa, driver of the Universal Guiding Star bus that hit the taxi carrying Mrs. Simbulan along Commonwealth Avenue on the night of May 13. Espinosa fled the scene of the accident but surrendered days later. He has yet to file his counter-affidavit since his legal counsel, Salvador Panelo, wanted to incorporate their answer to Mr. Simbulan’s supplemental complaint. In earlier media interviews, Espinosa said he is not responsible for Mrs. Simbulan’s death and instead blamed the accident to another bus that apparently hit the taxi first. Also in his supplemental affidavit, Prof. Simbulan noted that he incurred funeral expenses worth P350,000. "Given the extraordinary circumstances of Chit’s violent and sudden death, caused by the reckless imprudence of Daniel O. Espinosa, I intend to claim in the same criminal case any and all possible civil liabilities as provided for in... the Revised Penal Code arising from his criminal act, including but not limited to, actual, moral and exemplary damages, the exact amounts of which I will prove during trial. I also intend to claim attorney's fees," he said. — KBK, GMA News