The camp of Provincial Board (PB) Member Niño Rey Boniel aired their appeal to allow the detained official to continue his legislative work while held at the Talibon District Jail (TDJ).

This was bared by PB Member Tomas Abapo Jr. last week after receiving the request through the office of Boniel who has been accused of kidnapping and killing his wife Gisela Boniel.

According to Abapo,  Niño’s appeal was already announced to the PB members led by Vice Governor Dionisio Balite while the issue was raised before the Provincial Legal Office (PLO).

The PLO will review the request, said Abapo.

However, Abapo noted that allowing Niño to continue working as board member while in jail would require the detained legislator’s lawyers to file a motion before the court.

Niño’s camp, in its appeal, pointed out that officials such as Sen. Antonio Trillanes, Sen. Leila De Lima and other senators were able to work as legislators while in detention.

Trillanes, who led a failed coup against the Arroyo government, was detained at a military jail during the first half of his six-year term as senator from 2007 to 2010 while De Lima remains jailed in Camp Crame for alleged involvement in illegal drugs.

On June 7, Niño was taken into police custody after he was accused of kidnapping Angela Leyson, and Gisela who he also allegedly shot dead.

Niño faces charges of parricide, serious illegal detention and kidnapping filed before two courts in Lapu-Lapu City and Talibon. (R. Tutas)