photo: CIDG

A gubernatorial candidate in the province of Guimaras was arrested for allegedly name-dropping First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos when she demanded a huge sum of money from a local businessman in exchange for fast approval of an application for the opening of an emission testing center.

Police Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), said the arrested suspect, whom he only identified as Maggie, even claimed to be a first cousin of the First Lady to the victim.  

Torre said the entrapment operation conducted at around 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11, Barangay Sabang in Sibunag town also resulted in the arrest of two members of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) who were found to be acting as security escort of the gubernatorial candidate. 

Based on the investigation, Maggie claimed to the victim that she could secure fast approval of applications for government projects due to her connection to the First lady.

When the victim said that he is interested in opening a Private Motor Vehicle Inspection Center (PMVIC) emission testing, Maggie said she could secure fast approval at the Department of Transportation if he would pay her P800,000.

On Sept. 26, Torre said the complainant paid P400,000 to the suspect  to secure the  emission testing project. 

“However, after delivering the money, the respondent failed to fulfill her promise and despite repeated personal requests through mutual friends, the respondent failed and refused to return the money or show proof of payments,” said Torre. 

Last week, Torre said Maggie contacted the complainant again and told him that he should pay her the balance of P400,000 to secure the approval. 

The victim then sought the assistance of the CIDG after verification from the DOTr. 

During the entrapment, Torre said Maggie and another companion were arrested after receiving the marked money. The two PCG personnel were also collared and yielded two handguns.

Torre said all the four arrested suspects were already charged at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office of Guimaras.