Bacolod mayor asks Sandigan for permission to travel

MANILA, Philippines – Bacolod City Mayor Monico Puentevella, who is on trial for graft, has asked the Sandiganbayan to allow him to travel to Hong Kong to attend a friend’s wedding.

A motion filed by his lawyer, Redemptor Peig, with the Sandiganbayan’s Fourth Division stated that Puentevella “agreed to be a principal sponsor for the couple’s wedding.”

Puentevella’s camp asked the anti-graft court to travel to Hong Kong from Jan. 21 to 25 as he was invited to the wedding by the bride, Catherine Herrera, whom he has known since 2001.

Peig said Puentevella will be billeted at the Prince Hotel.

“He is not a flight risk and he has all the intention to stay in the country to protect the interests of (Bacolod) City and the people he swore to serve,” the lawyer assured.

Puentevella was charged with graft over the alleged overpriced purchase of computers amounting to P26 million using his Priority Development Assistance Fund from 2002 to 2006, when he was still a congressman.