Former Malabon-Navotas solon files charges vs 13 teachers

Former Malabon-Navotas Rep. Federico “Ricky” Sandoval yesterday filed criminal charges against 13 schoolteachers in Navotas City allegedly for offenses committed as poll officers in the May 2007 elections.

Sandoval filed 13 counts of dereliction of duty against the teachers, whose names were not immediately available, late yesterday afternoon before City Prosecutor Ojer Pacis. Sandoval said the filing of the cases was only “the initial salvo” in a series of legal actions contemplated against those he accused of committing widespread electoral fraud in the May 2007 polls. He said he believes that his supporters want to know what really happened in the last elections and this was what prompted him to file the cases.

The three-term congressman of the lone district of Malabon and Navotas ran for mayor under the Liberal Party in Navotas in the May 2007 polls but lost to incumbent Navotas City Mayor Toby Tiangco, now on his second term.

Sandoval said the move was intended “to hold accountable various officials who served and likewise were party to the apparent widespread electoral fraud” in the last elections.

The teachers reportedly were assigned in public elementary schools in Barangays Navotas East, San Jose, San Roque, Bangkulasi and North Bay Boulevard South.

Lawyer Cecilio Laurente, Sandoval’s lead counsel, said the teachers’ offense was a violation of Article 208 of the Revised Penal Code. – Jerry Botial