LP lawyer refuses notarial service to rival’s supporter

CEBU, Philippines - A lawyer of the Liberal Party has refused his notarial service to a barangay captain allied with the rival political party in Dumanjug town.

Lawyer Raphael Mativo admitted having denied his services to Kolabtingon Barangay Captain Bartolome Luab because of conflict of interest in his part.

Mativo said Luab asked him to notarize his complaint before the Commission on Elections on the alleged registration of non-residents in his barangay.

Mativo refused because he served as lawyer for LP candidates in Dumanjug during the last elections.

“Lisud man gud kay ako man gud nagdala kang Sarsi (Cesar) Baricuatro ug sa ubang LP candidates last elections,” Mativo said in a text message to The Freeman.

Mayor Nelson Garcia raised concerns over Mativo’s refusal of his notarial services because there is no other lawyer in Dumanjug commissioned by the Supreme Court to perform notarial service.

Garcia said that because of Mativo’s refusal Luab had to look for another lawyer outside the town. Luab complained about non-residents who were allegedly registered as voters in his barangay.

Dumanjug Vice Mayor Efren Guntrano “Gungun” Gica defended Mativo for refusing his services to Luab.

Gica admitted that the lawyer is his friend and that of his brother Councilor Erwin “Wado” Gica. Mativo is the lawyer of former mayor Cesar Baricuatro who lost to Garcia in the last elections.

“He is a very loyal LP supporter but I don’t think he can do such act because I know he is very professional,” said Gica.

Gica also said he does not know of any barangay captain filing a protest before the Comelec.  (FREEMAN)