Gabby pleads ‘not guilty’ to falsification charges

MANILA, Philippines - Former matinee idol Gabby Concepcion on Wednesday entered a not guilty plea on the falsification of public documents charges filed against him before the Manila Metropolitan Trial Court. QTV's Balitanghali reported that Concepcion arrived past 8 a.m. at the Manila Municipal Trial Court accompanied by his lawyer Ed Flaminiano, and entered the plea before the sala of MTC Barch 5 Judge Marlo Malagar. The court set the pre-trial on June 5. The case stemmed from Concepcion 's marriage with Sharon Cuneta in 1984 when he was allegedly already married to a certain Jennifer Martin. Branch clerk of court Florentino Mercado Jr. earlier said the “falsification of public document through omission" was slapped against Concepcion because of supposedly an “ante-date" in the entry of his application for a marriage license with the Manila Civil Registry. The case had been archived since Concepcion left the country in 1995 but was revived last March after Concepcion returned to the country after spending several years in the United States. Concepcion's return also prompted the court to issue an arrest warrant against him in connection with his falsification of public documents case. The following day, Concepcion posted P6,000 bail with the Manila MTC. Aside from the falsification of public documents case, Concepcion is also facing bigamy charges to which he likewise pleaded not guilty last April 21 and posted a P24,000 bail. The court set the pre-trial on May 8. The bigamy case stemmed from the complaint of Mamerto dela Cruz, of E. Rodriguez corner Mercury St. , Libis, Quezon City . In an amended information, Assistant City Prosecutor Manuel B. Sta. Cruz Jr, said “that on July 23, 1984, Concepcion, being then legally married to Jennifer Martin, and without such marriage, having been legally dissolved, did then and there willfully unlawfully and feloniously contract a second or subsequent marriage with one Sharon Cuneta." The television report also said Concepcion is facing another case after entertainment columnist and radio broadcaster Jobert Sucaldito filed a P2.8 million complaint for damages against him. The report said Concepcion and his manager Rose Flaminiano did not honor their verbal agreement with Sucaldito in connection with endorsing a whitening product. - Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV