Detained ex-mayor seeks court permission to be released during campaign

A former mayor linked to the killing of a radio station manager in Aklan province has asked a court to release him so he can campaign for a mayoralty post in the 2010 elections. Lawyers of former Lezo town mayor Fred Arcenio have asked the Cebu Regional Trial Court for his release, a Visayan Daily Star report said. The former mayor surrendered to authorities in March 2008 and has been detained at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center for the killing of dyIN Bombo radio station manager Herson “Boy" Hinolan on Nov. 13, 2004. In November 2009, the Cebu court had allowed Arcenio, a former Army intelligence officer, to file his certificate of candidacy. Arcenio was an Army master sergeant when he ran as a member of Lezo’s municipal council in 2001. The report said Arcenio’s family hopes he will be released before March 26, the start of the campaign period for the local election. Arcenio will run against former political ally, incumbent mayor Victor Fernandez. He will bank on the support of incumbent vice mayor Philip Buenaflor. - RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV