Gov. Espino files libel suit vs MECO’s Perez
POST-ELECTION MUDSLINGING
LINGAYEN– Outgoing Gov. Amado Espino Jr., congressman-elect of the Fifth District, filed a criminal complaint for libel before the Provincial Prosecutors Office here against Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) Chairman Amadeo R. Perez Jr.
Mr. Espino’s three-page complaint against Perez was received by Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Nicolas Reintar Jr. last Monday, May 16.
In his complaint, the governor stated that Perez uttered libelous and malicious statements against him (Espino) as an incumbent governor of Pangasinan and a candidate for congressman of 5th District, as evidenced by a recorded audio clip repeatedly aired over Dagupan City-based DWPR radio station since October 2015 up to present.
“As I read the transcript and validate the same with the recorded broadcast, respondent’s utterances in reference to me are intended to induce the listening public to suppose and understand that I am a corrupt, immoral, deceiving and dishonest public official, unworthy of the trust that the Pangasinan electorate bestowed on me overwhelmingly in the past 3 elections as governor of the province,” Espino stated in his complaint.
Perez, a former congressman and mayor of Urdaneta City, is a close political ally of former Cong. Mark Cojuangco who ran for governor but lost by landslide to Liga ng mga Barangay Provincial President Amado ‘Pogi’ Espino III, the son and namesake of the governor.
Gov. Espino also defeated Congresswoman Kimi Cojuangco, the wife of Mark, also by a wide margin in her reelection bid in the 5th District.
MECO Chairman Perez was asked by Governor Espino to pay P1 million in moral damages.
“The deception perpetrated by the respondent (Perez) in infusing to the mind of the public that herein private complainant committed the malicious imputations amounts to a violation of the latter’s rights, in a blatant, gross, wanton and malevolent manner that corrective measures should be imposed, to serve as unforgettable lesson not to commit the same misdeeds in the future, but more importantly, to serve as a deterrent to those who are so minded to emulate the respondent.
Thus, the complainant said, is in vindication and recognition of his violated rights and should be awarded nominal and exemplary damages in the amount of P1-Million.”
Espino served as congressman in the 2nd District of Pangasinan in 2001 prior to his election as provincial governor of Pangasinan in 2007. As governor, he will be completing his three terms up to June 30 this year.
In his press conference right after his proclamation as new congressman of the 5th District of Pangasinan, Espino said he was extending the hands of reconciliation to his opponents but “reconciliation with justice” to others.
MECO chairman Perez could not be contacted for comment up to press time. (Leonardo Micua)
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