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[av_heading heading=’WE NEED MORE TIME – BING Mayor asks extension to file counter-affidavit ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY MAE SINGUAY
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BACOLOD City – A motion for extension to file a counter-affidavit was lodged by the legal counsel of Mayor Evelio Leonardia before the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas in Cebu City.
The counter-affidavit was for the malversation of public funds and graft and corruption complaint that Sarah Teresa Esguerra, former executive assistant of then mayor Monico Puentevella, filed against Leonardia on April 6.
Esguerra accused Leonardia of failing to execute Civil Service Commission (CSC) Resolution No. 061312 dated July 18, 2006.
The resolution invalidated the appointment of the late Allan Zamora as city legal officer.
In the complaint, Esguerra said Leonardia “deliberately ignored” the CSC resolution and continued disbursing “unauthorized salaries” to Zamora until the latter’s death on March 5, 2009.
“That was against the Commission on Audit’s advice to stop compensating Zamora after the CSC resolution was released,” said Esguerra.
The Ombudsman decided to proceed with a criminal investigation and, through a June 30 order, asked Leonardia to file a counter-affidavit.
Leonardia has 10 days upon receipt of the order to submit the counter-affidavit. He received the order on Aug. 3.
Leonardia’s legal counsel and City Legal Officer Joselito Bayatan asked the Ombudsman to give them until Sept. 12.
“[Leonardia] needs more time to study and research documentary evidence,” considering that the issue happened years ago, part of the motion stated.
Bayatan said Esguerra’s actions were “motivated by political harassment.”
“She (Esguerra) is Puentevella’s minion,” he added.
Ombudsman has yet to respond to the request./PN
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