Two lawyers offered their legal services as well as claim custody of 16-year-old “J” but Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale turned their offer down.
“Like you, we are also curious on who is behind this and who hired these two lawyers. We might be turning her over to Dirty Old Men (DOM) and we are worried about that,” said Magpale who co-chairs the Provincial Commission on Women and Children (PCWC).
In yesterday’s 888 News Forum, Magpale declined to disclose the full identities of the two lawyers. “J” was accused of stealing clothes from a boutique in Mandaue City and skipped bills from a salon.
“J”, also dubbed in social media circles as the “pretty thief” also skipped paying bills at a resort in Asturias town, northwest Cebu.
Illness
The resort owner dropped the case after she was paid P15,000 by someone she declined to identify.
An affidavit of discernment was executed by the social workers and a case was filed against her by the salon owner when she failed to pay the P2,000 bills. Magpale said she will meet with officials of Sogod town, Leyte to discuss “J’s” custody.
She said there’s still a lot of work to done with the minor who recently attempted to commit suicide by drug overdose.
“She needs to be closely monitored. And really our protocol is center to center (the custody) since she is a minor with a birth certificate to prove,” she said.
“J’s” stepfather sent word to Magpale that he has nothing to do with her while her biological mother suffers from an undisclosed illness.
“J” is also demanding for her cell phone but Magpale said she has to live by the center’s rules.
“But we are not giving up on her, that is what I told the officials of Leyte where she came from,” Magpale said. The vice governor said “J” never stays long in a private facility due to her attitude.
Magpale even cited that the minor stayed three nights in one of the Capitol offices before she was turned over to a government run center.
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