MANILA, Philippines—Former Philippine ambassador to Mexico Francisco “Paqui” Ortigas III has posted bail in connection with a charge of concubinage filed against him by his estranged wife, one of his lawyers said Wednesday.
A lawyer who was with Ortigas at the Southern Police District’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig, said she had received word from Ortigas’ lawyers at the Pasig Municipal Trial Court that his bail had been approved.
“We’re just waiting for it to be transmitted here,” said Elizabeth Loriego, special counsel for Ortigas.
In the meantime, Ortigas issued a statement Wednesday he was saddened by the “public spectacle” caused by the concubinage case filed by his wife, Susana.
“Allow me to reiterate, as far as I’m concerned, this is a private matter which refined and civilized individuals avoid elucidating on,” Loriego said, reading Ortigas’s statement. “Thus, it is my fervent hope that the public will understand and appreciate my preference to keep silent on the matter, but my silence should not be construed as waiving my right to clear my name at the appropriate time.”
Loriego, together with Alfred Molo of the Puno and Puno Law Offices, said they had just ended a meeting with Ortigas at the Tektite Building in Ortigas when the arrest took place. They are now acting as his special counsel only for this incident.