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Lawmaker launches P5-million fund drive for Percy Lapid's kin
By LLANESCA T. PANTI,GMA Integrated NewsCavite 4th District Representative Elpidio Barzaga Jr. on Monday called on members of the House of Representatives to raise P5 million for the benefit of the kin of the slain broadcaster Percy Lapid.
Barzaga made his appeal under his House Resolution 508 which urges his colleagues to make voluntary contribution for the family of Lapid, whose real name is Percival Mabasa.
Barzaga's resolution was filed on the same day that the Justice Department announced the filing of murder complaints
against suspended Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag, among others, including persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), over the killing of Mabasa and of alleged middleman Jun Villamor, also known as Cristito Villamor Palaña, a PDL detained in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP)."While giving of reward is commendable for the immediate apprehension of the perpetrators of the crime, it is also equally important that we provide to the heirs of the slain journalist whose relatives are now suffering from threats and intimidation in their lives," Barzaga said.
"This representation, taking into consideration the plight of the family members of slain journalist Percival Mabasa, believes that we must also provide financial assistance to the heirs of the deceased commentator," he added.
Barzaga's resolution provides that the mandatory contribution from the House ranks will be subjected to the following conditions:
- all will be coursed through House Secretary General Reginald Velasco and;
- contributions should be made by November 30.
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Barzaga, for starters, pledged to contribute P100,000 as a seed money for the fund drive.
Lapid, a hard-hitting radio commentator, was shot dead while on his way home in Barangay Talon Dos, Las Piñas City, on October 3.
Self-confessed gunman Joel Escorial surrendered to police and named the people allegedly involved in the plot to kill Lapid, and among the names he mentioned was Bantag. Escorial also pointed to Villamor as allegedly one of two middlemen involved in the plot. —KG/RSJ, GMA Integrated News