Mabanto asked to explain physical injury charges

CEBU, Philippines - The Regional State Prosecutor asked the Assistant City Prosecutor of Mandaue City to file his answer to the accusations of a bus driver whom he allegedly slapped during a traffic altercation.

RSP Fernando Gubalane said he already sent a subpoena to assistant city prosecutor of Mandaue Beinvenido Mabanto, Jr. to file his controverting evidence to refute the complaint filed by Auto Bus driver Rolando Lequin before his office.

Gubalane will determine the merits of the complaint filed by Liquin for slight physical injury against Mabanto.

Aside from the office of the RSP, Lequin also filed the complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman. He asked the Ombudsman to look into the criminal aspect of the complaint and the RSP on the administrative.

Gubalane said that once he receives the controverting evidence from Mabanto, he will evaluate the side of both parties and then send his findings to the Department of Justice for review.

Mabanto was accused of slapping Lequin following a traffic accident last month in Tabok, Mandaue City.

Lequin was driving his bus along M.C. Briones St. towards the North Bus Terminal at 1:45 p.m. when he accidentally hit Mabanto’s vehicle while trying to maneuver to make a left turn.

However, before he could disembark from the bus, Mabanto already entered the bus and slapped him on the left face. The court official also allegedly confiscated his license and have him detained at the Basak Police Station.

Mabanto has already denied the accusations. (FREEMAN)