CARIGARA, Leyte- The mayor of this town has filed criminal cases against the incumbent vice mayor and a councilor who is running against him in this year’s midterm elections.
Mayor Eduardo Ong filed perjury and falsification of public documents against Vice Mayor Mildred Modesto and Councilor Rachel Makabenta before the Office of the Assistant Provincial Prosecutor based this town on February 18.
On his affidavit-complaint, Ong claimed that both Makabenta and Modesto, running-mates in this year’s elections, committed forgery using falsified documents when they filed disqualification cases against him and his son who is his running mate.
Ong alleged that the witness of the complainants, Maritess Cantojos, denied that she signed an affidavit supporting the disqualification cases filed against Mayor Ong and his son, Eduardo, Jr.
Cantojos claimed that her signature that appeared on the complaint was forged.
Ong also said that lawyer Ulpiano Arpon, Jr., who was said to have notarized the disqualification cases filed against them before the Commission on Elections has also made a denial.
Ong, who is seeking for his third and last term as mayor, faces disqualification on the grounds of residency.
Dennis Garay, spokesperson of Mayor Ong, dismissed the disqualification petitions saying it’s nothing but political harassment saying that Ong has been serving as mayor of Carigara for the past six years now.
Still, they will answer the petition as they remain positive that it will eventually be dismissed by the Comelec for lack of merit.
Mayor Ong claims residency in Barangay Sagkahan of said town.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA/
LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
