ADMINISTRATIVE and criminal complaints were filed by Abner Cañal before the Office of the Ombudsman against acting Bacolod Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran and Bacolod Lone District Representative Evelio “Bing” Leonardia. The complaints were for alleged violations of Section 89 of the Local Government Code of 1991, in relation to Section 3 (g) and (h) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corruption Practices Act, in connection with Leonardia’s involvement in Familiaran’s stall ownership at the Manokan Country. The complainant further asked the court to issue a preventive suspension order against both public officials and hold their respective and current government positions in order to prevent them from influencing the outcome of the investigation. Cañal’s complaint stemmed from Familiaran’s ownership of stall no. 23 at Manokan Country, where Cañal alleged that the acting vice mayor’s stall ownership, which he acquired through a contract of lease dated June 24, 2013, was for his personal gain and interest. He further alleged that although Familiaran fully paid his account as lessee of stall no. 23, it is highly questionable and anomalous because his rent is lower compared to other lessees and occupants. Cañal said it is a highly unbearable and unacceptable fact that lessees of other stalls in Manokan Country would pay almost 50 percent higher than Familiaran. The complainant also dragged Leonardia’s name alleging that the former mayor and now incumbent congressman of the city signed and entered into a contract of lease with Familiaran dated June 24, 2013, despite knowing and was fully aware that the said contract is prohibited by law. “By taking advantage of the influence of their respective positions, both public officials did then and there wilfully, unlawfully and feloniously executed a lease contract which is prohibited by and contrary to law resulting to irreparable injury and disadvantage to the city government of Bacolod,” Cañal further stated in his complaint. Meanwhile, Familiaran said he has yet to receive a copy of the complaint but considered it politically motivated. “It is a grand design to attack my character,” Familiaran stressed. Familiaran explained that he acquired the stall through a bidding in 2006, which was also approved by the Market Committee composed of former City Administrator Lorendo Dilag, the late lawyer Allan Zamora, and the City Treasurer, and was even ratified by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP). Familiaran stressed that there was no special treatment on the acquisition of the stall because he was even with the opposition in 2006 when it was granted to him by the SP. Despite the said complaint, Familiaran said he will still continue to pray for his obstructionists. On the other hand, lawyer Joselito Bayatan, Leonardia’s legal counsel, said the complaint bears the political label of suspended Mayor Monico Puentevella. “It is a known fact that due to the growing unpopularity and unabated misgovernance of Puentevella, many of his followers are bolting out from his camp,” Bayatan said in his press statement. Bayatan said it is unfortunate for Familiaran to be now branded by Puentevella as his opponent, but this is how Puentevella works with his followers. “Once you get out from his misgovernance, he will treat you as his enemy then expect his wrathful harassment,” Bayatan added. He said they are ready to face the case in the Ombudsman and that they are not worried about it./WDJ By Glazyl Jane Marie Y. Masculino
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