Board member sues lawmaker, mayor for controversial TV interview

By Felipe V. Celino 

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – A provincial board member accused Capiz 2nd District Rep. Fredenil Castro and Mambusao town Mayor Leodegario Labao Jr. of gross misconduct and grave abuse of authority after the two officials traded barbs during a nationally televised interview recently.

Board member Eleuper “Bulilit” Martinez allegedly filed a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas against Castro and Labao.

The basis of his complaint was the June 24, 2021 statements of Labao and Castro on a TV Radio Program hosted by Raffy Tulfo over TV5.

In a 10-page complaint dated July 7, 2021, Martinez said that respondent Labao proudly announced and admitted that he was the bagman of respondent Castro and that he delivered to the latter a total amount of P1 billion.

Castro, for his part, made a general denial of Labao’s allegation and did nothing else.

Castro told Tulfo that there might be a mayor that would be jailed for killing a vice mayor.

Labao was linked to the killing of the late Vice Mayor Abel Martinez of Mambusao, Capiz years ago, but the case was dismissed by the court for lack of evidence.

“The admissions of respondent Labao are evidence of the highest order.  They are declarations against his own interest.  They need no further proof and the declarant Labao could be subjected to disciplinary action immediately,” Martinez said in his complaint.

“On the other hand, with respect to respondent Castro, a different degree of proof may be required since it appears that he has denied the accusations for Labao,” he added.

Meanwhile, Labao laughed off the accusations of Martinez claiming the complaint is a mere scrap of paper that has no leg to stand on.

“I don’t want to entertain such kind of accusations. In the first place, I was a private person when I claimed that I’m a bagman of Castro. Second, I assumed mayor of Mambusao in 2016 and not in 2010 which Martinez claimed in his complaint”, Labao said.

Martinez said that the respondents may likewise be liable for Plunder, violation of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, and violation of the Revised Penal Code.

The complainant asked the Ombudsman that Castro and Labao be “preventively suspended since the evidence against them is strong, the amount involved amounted to billion pesos and their continued stay in office may prejudice the instant case, they being Congressman and Mayor, respectively.”

On the other hand, Labao challenged Martinez to a debate on any issue.

Martinez is eyeing to run for congressman in the Second District of Capiz against Castro’s wife, Inday Jane, in the 2020 elections.