Raps filed in court vs Madridejos mayor

CEBU, Philippines - Madridejos Mayor Salvador Dela Fuente is facing four counts of criminal charges for alleged violation of the Omnibus Election Code in connection with the May 10, 2010 national and local elections.

 Last Thursday, lawyer Maria Norina S. Tangaro-Casingal of the Law Department of the Commission on Elections in Manila has filed before the Regional Trial Court the Information against Dela Fuente dated June 23, 2014.

Casingal also filed a motion to consolidate the cases into one joint trial before one branch of the court, saying that the cases against the accused are “founded on same set of facts or are part of series of elections offenses of the same nature or similar character.”

 “That a separate trial will entail unnecessary cost, waste of time and money of the parties involved and the coffer of the government, thus, joint proceedings of the above-entitled cases will be beneficial and convenient to the litigants,” Casingal added.

 The Law Department also designated Comelec-7 acting director Rafael Olaño as prosecutor in the cases.

 RTC Judge Antonio Marigomen issued Monday the warrant of arrest against Dela Fuente and other accused.

 The RTC Clerk of Court, Atty. Rey Caayon, told The FREEMAN that Dela Fuente immediately posted bail at P12,000 for each count of the criminal charges.

On December 21, 2012, the Comelec en banc approved the filing of Criminal Information against Dela Fuente, his brother Ramon “Ging-Ging” Dela Fuente, Manuel Sarraga, Eupeniano Bautro, Jr., Doroteo Dorimon, certain Michael and Bangkay and several John Does.

 Among the incidents involved allegedly happened evening on May 13, 2010 within the May 10, 2010 election period when the house of a certain Leonardo Butaya was allegedly fired at with at least five gunshots.

 Butaya is a known supporter of then vice mayor Doroteo Salazar who ran against Dela Fuente, a re-electionist.

 Butaya alleged that days prior to election day, he received threats that he must refrain from campaigning for Salazar and that he must not vote.

Dela Fuente and Sarraga have been charged with four counts of alleged threats, intimidation, terrorism, and use of fraudulent device or other forms of coercion. Three counts of the charges have also been filed against Ramon and one count against barangay captain Jerry Caranzo.

 Dela Fuente said earlier that the complaint against him should be dismissed because it was unverified he was not among those identified as a perpetrator. —/JMO (FREEMAN)