Niña accuses Jun of threat

CEBU, Philippines — The conflict between two of the members of Partido Barug is now getting out of hand despite efforts from the party leadership to fix it after Mabolo, Cebu City Barangay Captain and city councilor-elect Prisca Niña Mabatid accused outgoing Councilor Pastor "Jun" Alcover, Jr. of threatening her.

Mabatid said she is reporting Alcover’s threat, which was allegedly posted on social media, to the police for possible legal action.  

“Nagpa-blotter na sad ko kay nang hulga na ra ba ka nga mopatay ka. Bahala og mamatay ko basta nisukol ko sa akong katungod isip babae. I don’t think the women of Cebu City will allow this to happen! Basin nagtuo ka ikaw ra naay supporters? Tanan na naglagot nimo,” Mabatid posted on Facebook.

Asked about the details of the alleged threat, Mabatid explained that threatening his opponents has always been Alcover’s nature. 

“Kana siya, that is something not new kay kinaiya man gud na niya. Iya gyud na pirme ipanghambog ang iyang pagkarebelde sa una. Kutob sa mokuan niya iya gyud nang hulgaon nga bantay lang ka, kanang hadlokon ka ba,” Mabatid told The Freeman last night.

Mabatid felt threatened by Alcover’s post, which said: “Paabot nga maputol na imong ugat ini’g July 1 (Wait until your vein is cut by July 1).”

The two party mates had been trading accusations on social media immediately after the May 13 elections. Alcover accused Mabatid of junking him and the other members of Partido Barug in Barangay Mabolo where he only ranked 14th among the candidates for councilors in the north district.

He also claimed that Mabatid asked for campaign funds from her party mates. In response, Mabatid posted on Facebook a screenshot of Alcover’s supposed text message giving her his bank details. 

“Ako nangayo og kwarta nimo? Omg. Nakalimot ka you gave your account number? Gamay ra ni nga evidence naa pay daghan, I’ll save the best for last,” Mabatid’s post reads.

Both Mabatid and Alcover claimed to have evidence to prove their claims against each other.

“Alcover accused me of junking because he is only #14 in Mabolo then how about the rest of the barangays nga number #14 sad siya? So massive junking? No such thing as per political experts. Ayaw sige og pamahid sa imong mga binuhatan. Giluwa naka sa katawhan then dawata ayaw pamugos. Move on Alcover!” Mabatid added.

She said Alcover should stop blaming her for his defeat in the last elections because he was also ranked 13 in 34 barangays in the north district.

Admitting that some supporters of Mabatid have asked him to stop defaming her, Alcover said he would give her a “honeymoon period” of until June 30.

He vowed to expose Mabatid’s alleged illegal acts after the honeymoon period.

“By that time, nobody can dictate me. I’m no longer a member of the council. Dili ko moundang niya,” Alcover told The Freeman.

He, however, refused to answer Mabatid’s post of him texting his bank account. Instead, he challenged Mabatid to admit her vote buying in the last elections.

“Akong mensahe niya, para ma-appease ang mga tao sa palibot, moangkon siya nga nag vote buying siya,” Alcover said.

He warned Mabatid that he has evidence to show that she was buying votes.

“Siyay ni angkon mismo na screenshot naman nako. Niangkon siya. Mangayo og pasaylo sa grupo. Ayaw ko hagita kay kahibaw ko sa imong sekreto,” Alcover said.

Partido Barug president and vice mayor-elect Michael Rama admitted that the internal conflict is a great challenge for the party leadership. Despite the problem, Rama remains optimistic that it would be resolved soon. —  FPL (FREEMAN)