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BY GLENN VIDAL BEUP
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Friday, May 26, 2017
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ROXAS City – Eleuper Martinez was expected to deliver a privilege speech during a recent Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Capiz regular session, but he was not around. He went on vacation leave.
Martinez swore to disclose more about what he claimed to be extramarital affairs of Jonathan Besa, a colleague he was recently at odds with. Besa filed an ethics complaint against Martinez for flashing him a “dirty finger.”
Martinez instead left an apologetic letter for SP secretary Zoe Herrera to read during the Wednesday session. It was perceived to be about his recent conflict with Besa but did not mention the name of the Board member.
“His letter of apology lacked sincerity,” Besa told this reporter.
“I don’t feel being alluded to as one of those he hurt most,” he said, noting that he was only referred to as someone who “[made] him (Martinez) a subject of my privilege speeches.”
Addressed to Gov. Antonio del Rosario, Vice Gov. Esteban Evan Contreras and the SP, parts of the letter read, “The past two weeks have been very traumatic to me. I was the subject of two privilege speeches by one of our colleagues here in the Provincial Board.
“In my zealousness to defend myself, I touched on the sensitiveness of other people that on normal times should be respected. I also hurt other person’s feeling that they do not rightly deserve.
“I would like to extend my sincere and heartfelt apologies to Gov. del Rosario, Vice Gov. Contreras, and to the members of this august body, and to those hurt most. From the bottom of my heart and on bended knees, please accept my deepest and sincerest apologies.”
Besa, who was accompanied by two lawyers at the time, was surprised by Martinez’s absence.
“I am giving him (Martinez) one week to make a public apology and retract his allegation,” said Besa. “He maligned my reputation publicly. It is only fit and proper for him to [make an] apology in public.”
“Had he put my name in his letter, probably I will accept his sincerity and will no longer pursue my ethics complaint and might as well withdraw my intention of filing a libel case against him,” Besa told this reporter. “Who am I not to forgive him (Martinez) if he is sincere enough?”
But “I don’t see any remorse on his part the way the letter was done,” he added.
Martinez cannot be reached for further comment as of this writing./PN
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