Transport group leader to pursue complaint vs city councilor

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – A transport group leader on Friday said that they will pursue their complaint against City Councilor Al Victor Espino for alleged conduct unbecoming of a public official.

Lilian Sembrano, secretary-general of the Bacolod Alliance of Commuters, Operators and Drivers (BACOD), said that they will be meeting with their lawyer to finalize the case against Espino.

Initially, Sembrano said they are going to file an administrative case for grave misconduct against the councilor.

Sembrano said that Espino allegedly lashed out at them when they held a protest rally at the Bacolod City Government Center recently.

His actuation is unbecoming of a public official, she lamented.

Sembrano said that Espino jumping over the railing and shouting at them “Isa-isa lang (One by one please)” is uncalled for.

“Kami nga naga untat byahe, nag pangabay lang nga ma estorya sa iya, ma lumpat lumpat sya sa baral kag mag-singgit nga isa isa lang, daw indi man na proper,” Sembrano said.

She also accused Espino of throwing invectives at them, which she said is against ethical standards for public officials.

She also lamented that instead of calling the attention of Espino, Mayor Alfredo Benitez tolerated the latter and dismissed Espino’s words as a “sort of expression.”

Espino on his part said, “it is their right to file a complaint against me, but if eventually it will be proven that I did nothing wrong, I will file a case against them.”

He claimed that while he was still on the steps of the BCGC going to the protesters to talk to them, the group has been shouting at him, asking him to resign as chairman of the Committee on Transportation of the city council.