Chan’s camp files perjury case vs7 barangay captains

CEBU, Philippines — Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan and six city officials yesterday filed a perjury case before the City Prosecutor’s Office against seven barangay captains who have implicated the former in a graft case.

Chan and others claimed that the barangay captains “twisted the facts” and “gave misleading and false narration, under oath, against the mayor and the other accused.”

The respondents in the perjury case are barangay captains Eduardo Cuizon of Bankal, Eleonor Fontanoza of Gun-ob, Regina Ybañez of Looc, Triponia Abayan of Tungasan, Joselito Tibon of Subabasbas, Reynaldo Tampus of Canjulao, and Rosalino Abing of Maribago.

On the other hand, apart from Chan, the other complainants are City Attorney James Sayson; Ronald Malacora, assistant department head of the General Services Office; Claire Cabalda, head of the Business Licensing Office; Nagiel Bañacia, head of the Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Office; Romeo Berame, assistant head of the City Planning and Development Office; and Annabeth Cuizon, former head of the City Social Welfare Office.

In a statement, the city’s Public Information Office said that the filing of perjury case came days after these seven barangay captains filed malversation raps against the mayor and other accused before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas.

It said that the respondents “willfully and deliberately asserted false narration of facts to fit their malicious desire of imputing wrongdoings against them with no other purpose than to harass them as their political rivals.”

The complainants said the complaint of Cuizon et. al contained “unfounded accusations and is purely based on misrepresentation and utter to malignment.”

Cuizon and company filed a case involving violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and malversation of funds against Chan and company after the city allegedly awarded in 2020 a P47 million contract to furniture firm Heritage Muebles Mirabile Export Inc., as well as non-food relief items for disaster victims worth P7 million, and supplies for COVID-19 facility worth P4,925,000.

In 2021, Heritage was also allegedly awarded the contract worth P30 million for food relief items and P5,975,000 for the food packs for 210 persons for 60 days.

Cuizon questioned why Heritage, a furniture company, was allowed to supply food items when it is not in line with its business.

Heritage said while its primary purpose is being a furniture company, it is also legitimately engaged in retail of goods and general merchandise, including essential and non-essential products.

The management of Heritage has already denied of committing any wrongdoing. – JMD (FREEMAN)