PHILIPPINES NEWS SERVICE — FOR Public Attorneys Office chief Persida Rueda-Acosta, Ted Failon’s wife Trinidad committed “suicide.”
Acosta made the statement after she read some of the affidavits executed by Failon and other household members who saw Trinidad inside a bathroom with a gun shot wound in the head.
According to Acosta, the PAO’s forensic doctor found no evidence of foul play in the incident which was a simple “suicide.”
Acosta, who accompanied Failon to the New Era Hospital yesterday after leaving the Quezon City Police District headquarters where he was questioned about his wife’s shooting, said that she learned from the family of Trinidad that the victim tried to commit suicide because of a financial problem.
“Medyo nahihiya si Mrs. Failon kasi halos lahat ng sweldo ni Ted na na-intrega sa kanya ay ininvest niya kaso nalugi. Malaki daw talaga ang lugi. Naloko talaga siya,” Acosta said.
Meanwhile, Acosta explained that what the PAO is providing to Failon is just a temporary and provisional legal service that is limited under PAO’s mandate. The PAO commonly provides legal assistance to indigent litigants.
“Sa investigation lang kami aalalay. Tinawagan lang ako kanina 5 a.m. kasi walang mag-notary sa affidavit ni Ted. Later on, kapag nakita namin na financially capable si Ted, we will withdraw our services immediately and he should hire a private lawyer,” Acosta said in a media forum, Usaping Balita.
Acosta said there is no reason to arrest Failon because there is no formal case filed against him.
“This is an incident of suicide, so walang case dapat against Ted and there is no reason to arrest him,” Acosta added.
Meanwhile, Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante appealed to Failon to issue a public statement to clarify everything and to clear his name.