Masbate Gov. Lanete spends Chinese New Year’s Eve in CIDG detention

After her surrender to the Philippine National Police on Wednesday, Masbate Governor Rizalina Seachon-Lanete will be brought to the Sandiganbayan on Friday.

 

In an interview with reporters, the PNP's Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief Director Benjamin Magalong said it would be up to the anti-graft court to decide on where the Masbate governor will be detained.

 

"Ang korte ang magde-desisyon kung saan siya siya made-detain," Magalong said.

Lanete spent the night and is now detained at the office of the CIDG-National Capital Region.
 

The governor surrendered at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, hours after the Sandiganbayan issued an arrest warrant against her over graft and plunder charges in connection with the alleged P10-billion pork barrel scam, he said.

Magalong said Lanete was booked following her surrender.

 

Lanete was accompanied on Wednesday night by her lawyer and some relatives, Magalong added.

 

Discussions
 

Magalong said the governor's son, Masbate Rep. Scott Davies Lanete, had been in contact with the CIDG for about a week prior to the release of the arrest warrant against his mother.

 

"Actually, one week negotiation ito, nalaman nga namin na anytime lalabas ang warrant of arrest for plunder, which is a non-bailable offense, at ang nakipag-ugnayan sa'min ay si mismong si Cong. Scott, anak ni governor, at napag-usapan namin na once na lumabas ang arrest warrant, immediately, he will get in touch with me, at the same time, mino-monitor namin at tuloy-tuloy hanggang kahapon nga, paglabas at paglabas ng warrant of arrest sa Sandiganbayan, immediately nandito na agad si Gov. Lanete," he said.

 

When asked what were the requests of Lanete, Magalong said: "Wala silang hiningi. Ang gusto lang nila ay tahimik sila, at voluntarily silang darating sa Camp Crame, iyon lang ang usapan namin." —NB, GMA News