Sanchez's wife claims to be receiving death threats
Published Sep 3, 2019 05:44 pm
By Hannah Torregoza
The common-law wife of former Calauan, Laguna mayor Antonio Sanchez claimed that she received death threats prior to attending the Senate’s hearing into the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) law.
Calauan Councilor Ave Marie Sanchez-Alcid, and former mayor Antonio Sanchez's wife Elvira during the second day of the hearing on the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) law Tuesday. (Jansen Romero / MANILA BULLETIN)
Elvira Sanchez, who appeared at the continuation of the Senate’s hearing with her children Calauan Councilor Ave Marie Sanchez- Alcid, former Councilor Allan Antonio, Anthony and Marie Antonelvie on Tuesday, disclosed to the senators when she was grilled how she learned that the mayor was about to be released.
Prior to this, Elvira confirmed that she and two of her children, met with Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Nicanor Faeldon at the latter’s office on August 21.
She said this was after they received a text message from somebody on August 20, claiming that their patriarch would be released soon.
“Director, andito po kaming pamilya ni Mayor Sanchez to clarify things kasi kahapon ho narinig namin na lalaya na ang asawa namin because somebody texted me that he is about to be released,” Elvira narrated to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee which Sen. Richard Gordon chairs.
But Faeldon denied having any knowledge of Sanchez’s release but informed her of his new “first in, first out” policy.
“I asked him, ‘Director, what is first in, first out? He said whoever was the first to enter, would be first to get out,” Elvira further said.
Faeldon, she recalled, also told her that if Mayor Sanchez was eligible for early release, he could be released within two months.
At this point, Gordon asked Elvira who was the person who texted her. But Elvira responded that the number was “unknown.”
Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon, at this point, interjected asking “Dala mo ba ang cellphone mo? (Do you bring your cellphone?).”
Elvira replied she discarded the SIM card and destroyed her cell phone because she has been receiving death threats for almost two weeks now.
“Actually, wala po akong cellphone. Kanina lang po. Hindi ko po tinanggal ang message, ang tinanggal ko po ay SIM card ko at binato ko po ang cellphone ko sa sobrang galit ko na po,” she said.
But Senate President Vicente Sotto III doubted Elvira’s claim, and asked her to provide the committee the number so they can trace the unknown sender.
Drilon agreed to this, and told Sanchez’s wife she would be held liable if she will be found to have been lying to the panel.
“Kung magsisinungaling po kayo, mahuhuli namin kayo eh. Kaya magsabi na kayo ng totoo, (We will know if you are lying. So please, just tell the truth,” Drilon said.
Read more: BuCor chief Faeldon appears at Senate probe on GCTA law
Calauan Councilor Ave Marie Sanchez-Alcid, and former mayor Antonio Sanchez's wife Elvira during the second day of the hearing on the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) law Tuesday. (Jansen Romero / MANILA BULLETIN)
Elvira Sanchez, who appeared at the continuation of the Senate’s hearing with her children Calauan Councilor Ave Marie Sanchez- Alcid, former Councilor Allan Antonio, Anthony and Marie Antonelvie on Tuesday, disclosed to the senators when she was grilled how she learned that the mayor was about to be released.
Prior to this, Elvira confirmed that she and two of her children, met with Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Nicanor Faeldon at the latter’s office on August 21.
She said this was after they received a text message from somebody on August 20, claiming that their patriarch would be released soon.
“Director, andito po kaming pamilya ni Mayor Sanchez to clarify things kasi kahapon ho narinig namin na lalaya na ang asawa namin because somebody texted me that he is about to be released,” Elvira narrated to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee which Sen. Richard Gordon chairs.
But Faeldon denied having any knowledge of Sanchez’s release but informed her of his new “first in, first out” policy.
“I asked him, ‘Director, what is first in, first out? He said whoever was the first to enter, would be first to get out,” Elvira further said.
Faeldon, she recalled, also told her that if Mayor Sanchez was eligible for early release, he could be released within two months.
At this point, Gordon asked Elvira who was the person who texted her. But Elvira responded that the number was “unknown.”
Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon, at this point, interjected asking “Dala mo ba ang cellphone mo? (Do you bring your cellphone?).”
Elvira replied she discarded the SIM card and destroyed her cell phone because she has been receiving death threats for almost two weeks now.
“Actually, wala po akong cellphone. Kanina lang po. Hindi ko po tinanggal ang message, ang tinanggal ko po ay SIM card ko at binato ko po ang cellphone ko sa sobrang galit ko na po,” she said.
But Senate President Vicente Sotto III doubted Elvira’s claim, and asked her to provide the committee the number so they can trace the unknown sender.
Drilon agreed to this, and told Sanchez’s wife she would be held liable if she will be found to have been lying to the panel.
“Kung magsisinungaling po kayo, mahuhuli namin kayo eh. Kaya magsabi na kayo ng totoo, (We will know if you are lying. So please, just tell the truth,” Drilon said.
Read more: BuCor chief Faeldon appears at Senate probe on GCTA law