Mayoralty aspirant sues Mayor Osmeña

Cebu City mayoralty aspirant Wendell Lope has filed yesterday charges for coercion, illegal arrest and illegal search against Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

Lope, a resident of barangay Tinago, alleged that Osmeña caused for his arrest, interrogation and illegal body search when he visited the mayor at the City Hall last February 21.

During his visit, Lope allegedly wanted to clarify with Osmeña the issue as to "who between the two of them should run for mayor."

But Lope said the security personnel prevented him from meeting with the mayor, adding that they even threatened and insulted him.

"It was degrading on my part (sic) that’s affect my moral status as respected and honored with a constitutional right being a Filipino and a Cebuano in particular..," Lope said in his one-page handwritten affidavit.

Lope, who personally prepared his affidavit without the assistance of a lawyer, filed the charges against Osmeña before the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office shortly before 5:00 p.m.

Lope stirred media interest when he filed his certificate of candidacy for mayor although he is not a registered voter of the city. The court has already dismissed his petition for inclusion on the list of registered voters.

The Commission on Elections, however, has yet to rule on his status as a candidate. — Fred P. Languido/LPM