Pacificador going to Metro Manila for check-up

ILOILO CITY — Former assemblyman Arturo Pacificador, who was acquitted last Friday of multiple murder in the so-called "Pang-pang massacre," is scheduled to leave for Metro Manila possibly today, with the court’s permission, for a heart check-up at the Philippine Heart Center (PHC).

"I already have the court order to leave for my heart check-up," said Pacificador, who is still detained at the Antique provincial jail for another murder case — the 1986 killing of former Antique governor Evelio Javier.

But as of yesterday, Pacificador said the jail warden informed him that there was no jail guard available to accompany him to Metro Manila.

Pacificador said he is not feeling well and he needs to see his doctor, Delfin Encarnacion, at the PHC.

Pacificador said he has been going to Metro Manila for his heart check-up every three months, the last being in January this year.

He earlier disclosed his intention to run for governor, and that he would submit his certificate of candidacy on Feb. 28, the last day of filing.

"Even though I cannot go out of jail, I can do my certificate of candidacy here, inside the provincial jail, and (ask) a messenger to file it for me," he said.

Despite his detention, Pacificador can roam freely around the 1.4-hectare jail compound and use a personal cellular phone and "text" his friends as well as local journalists.

Hearings on the Evelio Javier murder case will resume on March 27-29, to be handled by a new judge, Rudy Catrojas of Antique Regional Trial Court Branch 12.

Javier was assassinated on Feb. 11, 1986 while overseeing the canvassing of votes in the snap presidential elections, at the provincial capitol. Pacificador, a staunch Marcos ally, was alleged to be the mastermind.