By CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — Agusan del Sur Gov. Santiago B. Cane Jr. has denied claims that he designated lawyers Jimmy Bondoc and Israelito Torreon to represent the family of late basketball prospect Rene “Bobet” Baterbonia, saying the lawyers merely offered to provide legal assistance should the family decide to pursue legal action.
The clarification came after a viral social media post and media reports quoted Baterbonia’s mother, Rovelyn Baterbonia, as saying that Cane was the one who assigned Bondoc and Torreon as the family’s lawyers following her son’s death.
In an interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Cane said he did not appoint, designate or tap any lawyer to handle the case.
Cane said Torreon had earlier communicated with him and expressed willingness to provide pro bono legal assistance to the Baterbonia family should they decide to seek legal remedies.
Aside from Torreon, Cane said many other lawyers offered their free services, including from the legal offices of the provinces, legal counsels in the congressional offices of Rep. Alfel Bascug of the province’s first district and Rep. Adolph Edward Plaza of the second district, and local lawyers in the province.
The governor also disclosed that he met with Rovelyn and members of the Baterbonia family before their trip to Manila. According to Cane, the provincial government extended financial assistance to help defray the family’s airfare, hotel accommodations and other incidental expenses as they attended activities related to their son’s case.
However, Cane stressed that the assistance was humanitarian in nature and should not be construed as an endorsement or designation of any lawyer who later offered to assist the family.
“As stated in my earlier post, several lawyers have voluntarily reached out and signified their willingness to extend legal assistance pro bono, should the bereaved family decide to seek justice through the courts,” Cane said.
“The decision remains solely with the family, and their wishes must be respected,” he added.
Cane also appealed to the public to refrain from politicizing the issue, emphasizing that the focus should remain on establishing the truth behind the deaths of Baterbonia and fellow athlete Divine, whose passing has likewise drawn public attention.
“We humbly ask the public and netizens not to politicize this painful issue. At this time, the focus should remain on truth, justice, compassion, and respect for the grieving families,” Cane said.
The issue surfaced after a press conference in Quezon City where Rovelyn Baterbonia, accompanied by supporters and members of a legal team that included Bondoc and Torreon, called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding her son’s death.
The participation of Bondoc and Torreon also drew attention on social media because both lawyers are known for handling cases and causes associated with former president Rodrigo Duterte and his political camp. Their appearance at the family’s press conference prompted some online observers and media practitioners to question whether the issue was being politicized.
Cane, however, rejected such suggestions and maintained that the focus should remain on finding answers and ensuring justice for the families affected by the tragedy.
The appearance of the two lawyers likewise generated public discussion because of their involvement in several high-profile and politically sensitive cases in recent years.
Supporters of the family’s move welcomed the legal assistance, while others questioned the circumstances surrounding the lawyers’ participation in the case.
Cane’s clarification sought to address speculation that the provincial government had formally assembled or assigned the legal team.
As of posting time, neither Bondoc nor Torreon had publicly disputed Cane’s account that their legal assistance was offered voluntarily rather than through a formal designation by the provincial government.
The Baterbonia family has continued to seek a full accounting of the events leading to Rene’s death, while government authorities and other concerned institutions are conducting separate inquiries into the incident.
For now, the question of legal representation remains a matter for the family to decide, even as public interest in the case continues to grow and calls for accountability intensify.
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