MANILA, Philippines - The Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 136 acting as a family court on Tuesday morning heard the petition filed by the parents of murdered racecar driver Ferdinand “Enzo” Pastor to have guardianship over his two minor sons.
In their seven-page Opposition, spouses Tomas and Remedios Pastor asked the court to order the transfer of the letters of guardianship over Enzo’s two sons to them and allow them custody of the children.
The Pastor couple also asked the court to dismiss the Sept. 1, 2014 petition filed by the parents of Enzo’s widow, Dalia Pastor, that they be allowed to exercise permanent guardianship over the children.
In their opposition, Enzo’s parents said the petition filed by Dalia’s parents – Xavier Guerrero and Valerie Guerrero nee Oosthuizen is a “ruse” as they do not have basis to be issued with letters of guardianship and rights of custody over the two boys.
“Spouses Guerrero filed the instant petition obviously to control and dispose the properties and businesses inherited (by the two boys), while Dalia Guerrero Pastor hides from the eyes of the public in order to avoid the pending murder charges against her for the death of (the boys’) father, the deceased Ferdinand “Enzo” Pastor,” the Opposition read.
Enzo’s parents also questioned the moral and social character of the Guerrero couple, saying that they are aiding Dalia’s act of avoiding the murder charges against her.
“Spouses Guerrero are thus aiding and abetting the recognized suspects in the murder of (the boys’) father, and it will be obviously strange for (the boys) to live with them,” the Pastors said in their Opposition.
“Spouses Guerrero have questionable moral and social character that can adversely affect (the boys),” added the Pastors.
Talking to reporters after the hearing, Remedios Pastor lashed at Dalia’s family for not allowing Enzo’s cremated remains to be buried at the crypt prepared by the Pastor family and then for preventing them access to Enzo’s two minor sons who are temporarily under the guardianship of Dalia’s parents.
Enzo remains with wife's parents
“The 40th (day after Enzo’s death) was the last time that we saw her (Dalia) we gave a dinner to celebrate Enzo’s 40th passing. After that, we requested for the ashes. Our arrangement was that after a hundred days, we would put Enzo to rest. But at that point, nawala na nga siya. So we spoke to Mr. Guerero requesting that since the priest was asking us to bury him at the crypt that we prepared. But then, ni-refuse pa din nila. 'Di pa din sila nag-cooperate maski na sa ashes. Ngayon, eto na, pati na ang mga apo namin,” said Remedios.
“Nakuha na nga nila lahat, nagawa na nila lahat ang gusto nila. Niloko na ng anak nila ang aking anak. Masyado na. Ano pa ang gusto nila? Sobrang sobra na,” she added.
For his part, Enrique dela Cruz, lawyer for the Pastor couple said that the Guerrero couple has no reason to bar Enzo’s parents from seeing their grandchildren.
“Nag-file kami ng opposition and we were asking the court na kahit man lang provisional sana ay payagang makabisita ang Pastor family. Mabisita ang mga kids. Ayaw pumayag nung kabila,” he said.
“Nakakalungkot at na-drag na ang mga bata. In the next hearing, papakita nila kung bakit di sila (Pastors) ay di karapat-dapat at ipapakita namin kung bakit sila (Geuerreros) ay di karapat-dapat. Hindi na dapat umabot na sisiraan namin sila at sisiraan nila an gaming mga kliyente. Dapat pumayag na lang sila. What is so compelling that they would deny the Pastors to see the grandchildren? What have they done wrong na visitation lang ay may hearing pa? E nung buhay ang tatay nila ay dinadala naman sa kanila (Pastors). Malungkot talaga,” added Dela Cruz.
Dela Cruz said the court would be scheduling a date to hear the Pastor’s petition for visitation. He said the petition for visitation would be filed within the week.
“Sabi ni judge, since they (Guerreros) don’t want it, they should file their motion so we can hear it. So magkakaron pa kami ng hearing just for the visitation. We will be filing it within the week and hopefully next week ay mas-set na ang hearing just for the visitation,” said Dela Cruz.