Minority councilors file raps vs majority bloc
LEGAL BATTLE INSIDE DAGUPAN SP
THREE members of the majority bloc in the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) are facing criminal complaints for illegal detention, oppression, and slander in connection with an incident that occurred during the October 10 SP session.
Vice Mayor Bryan Kua, along with minority bloc councilors Michael Fernandez, Jeslito Seen, Dennis Canto, Marcelino Fernandez, and Joshua Bugayong, filed the complaints before the City Prosecutor’s Office in Dagupan City.
The respondents are Councilors Redford Erfe-Mejia, Czarinna Lim-Acosta, and Alipio Serafin Fernandez. The other four members of the majority were spared.
Kua said that the move was necessary because the majority councilors had abused their power, obstructed programs and projects of Mayor Belen Fernandez, and conducted themselves abusively in the session hall.
According to Councilor Seen, these complaints may be followed by others against the majority councilors. The charges include illegal detention, oppression, and slander, which are all criminal offenses.
Seen pointed out they have video recordings as evidence, including Erfe-Mejia ordering the SP’s doors to be closed, effectively detaining everyone inside during the session, a scene witnessed by members of the media, the Sangguniang Panlungsod secretariat, and others present during the session.
VM Kua is hugged by supporters after coming out from the Justice Hall where he and five minority councilors filed complaints against three councilors in the majority. (CIOphoto 10/11/23)
They restricted the rights of everyone in the session hall which was mainly the basis for the illegal detention complaint where Erfe-Mejia asked if anyone had a handgun in the audience during the session, and his interaction with the suspected emergency worker.
Councilor Fernandez is also preparing criminal and administrative cases against Erfe-Mejia for allegedly intimidating him in a previous incident when he was asked to step outside the mayor’s office to be confronted with his questions. (Leonardo Micua)
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
