Capiz SP assures fairness in Dumarao officials’ case

By Felipe V Celino 

ROXAS CITY, Capiz— Capiz Provincial Board Member Jonathan ‘’Sonny’’ Besa assured equal treatment in the case filed by Sanggunian Kabataan (SK) municipal federation president Vrinda Katalbas against incumbent Vice Mayor Leslie Warren Benjamin of Dumarao, Capiz.

The case against Benjamin was referred to the committee of the whole of the Sangguniang Palalawigan (SP) of Capiz.

Benjamin is facing charges for grave abuse of authority, oppression, and misconduct for allegedly forcing Katalbas to resign.

Besa said the Committees on Laws and Good Governance, Rules and Privileges, and Youth and Sports will investigate the case against Benjamin.

Katalbas filed the case before the Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas.

But the Ombudsman referred the charges to the provincial board for action.

Katalbas claimed that Benjamin forced her to sign a prepared resignation letter as part of a term sharing agreement with a fellow SK official in 2018.

But three days before the effectivity of the resignation, Katalbas issued a letter saying she will not vacate her post. She later filed the case against Benjamin.

Besa said that the provincial board will be objective in treating the complaint even they will try their best to amicably settle both sides.

But if the settlement fails, they will start the investigation which will run for 30 to 40 days.

Meanwhile, some board members inhibited themselves from the probe as they were related either with Katalbas or Benjamin.