PHILIPPINE NEWS SERVICE — BUSINESSMAN philanthropist Mark “MJ” Jimenez wants to make a fresh start in life by continuing his cause of helping the poor.
After withdrawing the charges he filed against former Justice Secretary Hernando “Nani” Perez, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez and three of his children and a son-in-law, the former solon also withdrew the estafa charges he filed against his former live-in partner Caroline Castañeda.
Jimenez, founder of Hulog ng Langit Foundation, yesterday executed his affidavit of desistance before First Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Cielitolindo Luyon at the Department of Justice.
The former solon earlier filed estafa charges through falsification against Castañeda, his son Marcel Crespo, daughter Myla Crespo-Villanueva and son-in-law Generoso Villanueva before the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office for allegedly conspiring to sell his house in Forbes Park, Makati for P118 million.
Jimenez claimed that Crespo persuaded Carol to transfer her shares in Clarion Realty and Development Corp. to Antonio through a deed of sale she executed on Aug. 10, 2004 while he was serving sentence in the United States for making illegal campaign contributions in 2004.
The Forbes Park property was sold to Philmetro Southwest Enterprises Inc. Proceeds of the sale went to Castañeda and her sister Rose Flaminiano who invested in different companies, Jimenez claimed.
The former congressman also filed charges against Castañeda, Flaminiano and their relatives Evangeline Castañeda, Magdalena Cunanan, Jonathan Flaminiano and Jose Alberto Flaminiano, stockholders or officers of CSF Computer Network Inc., before the Manila Prosecutor’s Office.
Jimenez said the respondents convinced him to finance CSF, which won a contract with the Commission on Elections to provide tamper-proof IDs. He claimed that the respondents collected P43 million from the poll body but did not give him his share.
However, he said the continued prosecution of the cases is detrimental to the family’s interests.
“Guided by the benevolence and forgiveness espoused by my Christian faith, I have chosen to be more compassionate in dealing with the follies and indiscretions of my children as well as other respondents,” he said.
Jimenez said his mission as a Christian would be better served after withdrawing the cases.
“I would be of more use and service to the public should I concentrate all my efforts in my diverse advocacies rather than being embroiled in public and legal skirmishes with the respondents in the foregoing case,” he said.