BACOLOD City – “We have nothing to hide.”
This was outgoing Mayor Evelio Leonardia’s reaction to Mayor-elect Albee Benitez’s plan to form a “truth commission” to look at city government transactions under the Leonardia administration.
Benitez’s proposed body would be composed of representatives from “independent” organizations. It would review and audit city government transactions for transparency, he said.
“Let it go where it may go. No problem with that,” said Leonardia.
Leonardia is stepping down as mayor on June 30 when Benitez would formally assume as new city mayor.
Benitez got 171,893 votes while Leonardia got 107,447.
“Our administration always tried its best to follow rules. We follow what is required by law, by the Commission on Audit,” said Leonardia.
“But of course, if you are a politician things like this can also be misinterpreted as witch-hunting, a demolition job,” Leonardia said of Benitez’s proposed truth commission.
Leonardia has filed an election protest against Benitez./PN
